Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Critic

I think most of the entries at this blog are, at least on some level, in favor of cord blood storage. I say "storage" because not all observations support the notion of private cord blood banking and many advocate donation while stopping short of individual banking.

However, the "bank it" posts probably outnumber the "don't bank it posts" simply because more news and material is released carrying that slant.

In the interest of keeping the scales balanced, here's an observation from an apparent medical professional (tough to discern exact qualifications) who opposes the private cord blood banking model. The remarks were found at the Perinatal Nursing Discussion listserve hosted by the University of Buffalo.

They outline one individual's opposition to the for-profit banking model and cover various issues of collection and facility policy.

"First, I have to say I am against cord blood banking, the kid needs thatblood not some money making blood banker. The AAP is (if memory serves)against paying for blood banking for personal use. That being said, I knowthat umbilical cord blood is one of the few sources of stem cells that are actually useful for treating disease. When I am in my own practice I plan to counsel against cord blood banking..."