Stem Cell Research: The Forgotten Option

The stem cell debate is a hot topic in our country today. With big name celebrities like Michael J Fox begging our government for more funding for this controversial issue, lines have been drawn and the media always has something for its late night news. I have a child with a rare genetic syndrome that may benefit from stem cell research, so it might surprise people to hear that I am against embryonic stem cell research. Why would I be against something that could potentially save my child's life? Really, I am not. I am all for cord blood stem cell research. An option that seems to have been forgotten in all the heated debate.

When my son was diagnosed with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, I was pregnant with my second child. Since his syndrome could lead to bone marrow failure, several cord blood storage facilities offered to store my unborn child's cord blood stem cells for free. The stem cells could be successfully used in a bone marrow transplant if my son ever needs them. With our cord blood kit came a wealth of information on the benefits of cord blood stem cells. I was surprised to read about the potential of these stem cells and it gave me hope that no more innocent children would have to be sacrificed for the sake of science.

There is hope that cord blood stem cells can someday be used to treat brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and brain/spinal cord injuries. According to the June 27, 2005 edition of Businesweek, at Duke University, while studying the brain of a girl who had passed away not long after a cord blood stem cell transplant, scientists found cells with XY chromosomes. The male chromosomes. While looking into the history of the transplant, they discovered that the cord blood had come from a baby boy. This offered proof that cord blood stem cells could pass through the normally impenetrable blood/brain barrier and morph into healthy brain cells.

With the promise of such success, why isn't cord blood stem cell research given more funding and media attention? Surely, this is a way to make all parties happy. A cure for brain disorders and other diseases could be found with out making embryos. There are several reasons For one, it isn't known if cord blood stem cells are as flexible as embryonic stems cells, so finding those important cures would be more difficult, which would require more money. Secondly, a single umbilical cord does not produce many stem cells and so few women donate the precious cord blood that is usually thrown out after delivery. Finally, where would the controversy be? Americans love to be fighting over something and offering a solution that would appease both sides would never happen. The same day that congress passes a bill for federally funding embryonic stem cell research (which Bush vetoed) they also passed a bill to federally fund the storage of cord blood stem cells. Was this information widely reported? Of course not.
Hopefully, over time, more Americans will be able to see the benefits of cord blood stem cells and call out to the government for more funding. One day I hope to see a cure for my son and all of the others who would benefit from the life-saving power of these little cells.