Public vs. Private Cord Blood Storage Debate Receives Coverage

No one really argues that cord blood has some amazing medical treatment value and that there's is potential for even more impressive developments down the road. The stem cells found in umbilical cord blood avoid the usual "pro-life" objections to fetal stem cells and everyone believes there's value in non-controversial cord blood.

There is, however, one area of debate that continues to rage. Should families store and maintain their children's cord blood in private banks (maintaining control over the blood and securing its use for the child in question, but paying for the privilege) or should they donate the umbilical cord blood to banks (costing nothing and making the blood available to other potential patients)?

There are arguments and accusations on both sides of the issue. A recent story on News 8 Austin does a good job of laying out the positions from both camps. If you have an interest in umbilical cord blood or the debate surrounding it, the story justifies a moment of your attention.