Cord blood stem cells

The discovery that stem cells (SCs) can be obtained from umbilical cord blood instead of the more controversial source of embryonic SC's, has renewed interest on the new, exciting therapeutic potentials of this technology. Several therapeutic targets have been cited as candidates for treatment such as, malignant blood disease, hematological disorders, complex neurological illnesses, genetic and autoimmune diseases, benign and malignant blood diseases, skeletal anomalies, and the ultimate promise of using this technique in delaying the process of human aging. Parallel to this rise in popularity of SC research, SC banking has become a growing commercial enterprise. This review will attempt to present a concise account on the present status of the uses of SC in general, and cord blood (CB) in particular. An evaluation of the debate on the claims, and counter-claims in commercializing CB banking has been summarized.