Catholic-targeted Message re: Cord Blood Strikes the Usual Chord

The Cord Blood Registry, a well-known umbilical cord blood bank, is doing its best to get the word out about the services it offers. A recent article in the California Catholic Daily detailed the company's efforts and services.

They wrote:

"The Cord Blood Registry, a blood bank in San Bruno, has launched a nationwide campaign to increase public awareness of cord-blood preservation -- a practice that can bolster ethical stem-cell research and help expectant parents provide for their child's future well-being."

That's the standard explanation and it's serving companies like The Cord Blood Registry well. What was more interesting was the very next paragraph in the article.

It read:

"Unlike embryonic stem cells, which have as yet no human therapeutic applications, stem cells obtained from the umbilical cord and other human tissues are used in more than 60 forms of successful treatment. However, every year in the U.S., about 15,000 people need a stem-cell transplant but cannot find a suitable donor match."

The positioning of umbilical cord blood as an alternative to embryonic stem cells is becoming increasingly common. This was especially true in the weeks leading up to President Bush's veto of stem cell research legislation.

Umbilical cord blood is an interesting topic. It's right on the intersection of politics, religion, science, medicine and business.