The Marketplace of Ideas Online

I'm a big freedom of speech advocate and my support for open discourse is primarily based in a strong belief in the marketplace of ideas. In an unfettered marketplace of ideas, all positions can be heard and the best conclusions will be reached. At least that's the way it works in theory.

In practice, it's tough. The playing field isn't level and the marketplace is controlled to the point of creating unavoidable bias. Not everyone is heard (or heard to the same degree). In fact, some viewpoints don't get enough "airplay" to be heard at all.

The Internet creates the opportunity for a truer marketplace of ideas. The playing field can be leveled and people can exchange ideas and perspectives freely without restriction. Vigorous debate and argumentation can forge stronger arguments, change minds, and produce better thinking (and results).

A perfect example of that concept in operation are the Argue With Everyone Discussion Forums. This forum for political debate is operated with the objective of promoting open and free discourse in mind. Unlike many forums, moderation is limited. Members are able to create the discussions and arguments of their choosing.

If you're an opinionated person--or are someone who's interested in learning more about the opinions of others and/or broadening your own personal outlook, a trip to the Argue With Everyone Discussion Forums is warranted. If you're craving vigorous and productive debate, joining the forums is almost mandatory.

Clergy Notes Value of Cord Blood in Reaction to Hybrid Stem Embryos

Researchers in the UK received regulatory approval for the creation of hybrid human/animal embryos. While they lauded the decision and looked forward to untold scientific advances, others lamented the decision as a transgression of deeply important religious and ethical principles.

Catholic clergy, for instance, argue that the ethical controversies created by decisions to make the hybrid embryos are avoidable--and that their avoidance may actually produce better results.

They maintain that stem cell research using umbilical cord blood can provide benefits similar to those achieved via embryonic research without treading on sensitive moral/ethical/religious terrain.

According The Independent:

But the Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith, said: "Instead of promoting ethically problematic research into hybrid embryos, why do we not simply encourage more research into the proven and uncontroversial area of adult stem cells?"

"The Catholic Church is not against all stem cell research, and strongly supports such research using adult and cord blood stem cells."

About Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse

After mentioning Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Banks in my previous post, I noticed that their site mentioned this one. Unfortunately, their assessment of Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse is inaccurate. I thought I'd take a moment to explain the nature of this blog and my intentions in order to clear up any misunderstandings.

Parent's Guide to Cord Blood describes the blog like this:

"A blog where all content is written by an anonymous Resident Expert who clearly works for a bank."

Well, they're right about the "Resident Expert" thing. They're wrong about the rest of it.

"Resident Expert" shows up as the post author because I actually operate a series of blogs with the same account and needed a author tag that made sense for all of them. I don't utilize my real name due to privacy considerations and other issues related to the content and topic matter of other ventures and the desire to keep elements of professional life separated.

Does the lack of a name and/or specific qualifications damage the credibility of this blog? Perhaps. On the other hand, I always cite referenced source material and try to make it clear when any of my own opinion creeps into discussions.

I am not employed by an umbilical cord bank. I have no direct affiliation with any cord blood bank, storage facility, etc. It is true that this blog accepts advertising, particularly in the form of Google Adsense ads. This may result in ads for various banks appearing on the site. When those ads are clicked, I am paid a small sum. I'm not, however, beholden to any outside firm or corporation and the presence of those automatically-served ads has no impact on editorial content.

The site does feature links to sites that may include cord blood banks. These links are reciprocal and were established in an effort to assist in search engine indexing and search optimization. They were built early in the blog's history as a means of putting the blog "on the map". The accompanying text may create a sense of advertising, but I don't personally endorse or recommend any linked entity.

I am paid for some posts. A full disclosure statement is located at the bottom of the blog. I am yet to be paid for any post directly related to umbilical cord blood banking or storage and doubt that situation will ever arise.

So, if I'm not cashing a check from a cord blood bank and I'm not affiliated with any of the companies in the industry, why am I blogging about it, right?

To be honest, the project started as an experiment in generating advertising revenue via blogging. That's right, it's basically a for-profit endeavor. I was experimenting with keyword research and relatively high-paying contextual advertising topics when I found that umbilical cord blood banking seemed to have potential. The private firms out there are in a heated competition for clients and they are willing to pay a fairly substantial sum for targeted advertising.

I built the blog with that in mind. I hoped to drive traffic to this site and to generate earnings via the contextual advertising. The topic area, initially, was chosen purely as a matter of financial potential.

Unlike some other experiments, Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse was not particularly successful. Traffic totals were lower than expected and earnings suffered. I basically shelved the blog for awhile, not necessarily planning to return to it.

In the meantime, any chance I had of making Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse a top performer in its niche had passed. Others with more SEO skills and content acquisition talents had focused their attention on the subject matter.

Then, a few things happened. First, I started reading more news about the topic and realized I had developed a genuine interest in it. That coincided with the birth of my daughter and a decision to donate her cord blood. That decision was spurred, primarily, by what I had learned as the author of this blog. Second, I discovered additional means of monetization in the form of paid postings. I returned to the blog with greater regularity to provide updates, etc.

Today, Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse is operated as a for-profit endeavor. I earn via the contextual advertising and sponsored postings. I don't earn based on the politics or commercial implications of my content to the cord blood industry.

This blog is less of a research project or personal attempt at swaying public opinion than it is a news aggregation site. I look for stories and information about cord blood and umbilical cord blood banking and comment on them, supplying readers with direct links to those resources. As noted, I try to separate personal opinion and make those moments crystal-clear to the reader.

Is Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse the perfect resource for the subject matter? Not even close. I think that sites like The Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Banks offer far superior original content and can be a great resource. I also believe that some of the information coming from cord blood banks and those with direct financial ties to them can be useful. There are also incredibly biased slams of banking operations, statements released purely to generate business for banks, misinformation, wrong information, outrageous statements of medical potential and enthralling stories of medical and technological breakthroughs. Cord blood is a fascinating topic. It combines the most personal aspects of life and decision making with politics, science and ethics.

I have my opinions, which are always subject to change as I learn more. But this is less about my opinions than it is providing a variety of perspectives and exploring different aspects of the topic. I do make a little money from the project, but probably not enough to justify the limited time I spend on it.

The Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse is what it is. It's a small site that aggregates and comments upon cord blood-related news and opinion pieces. It's not a mouthpiece for banks or any other entity.

I hope everyone who visits finds something interesting on the topic of cord blood and/or is inspired to learn more.

Yours truly,
Resident Expert

Private Cord Blood Questionnaire Available

If you're considering private banking of umbilical cord blood, you'll want to make sure you choose the right facility. Making that selection can be difficult--most of us are not medical experts and don't really even know where to begin as we research banking options.

Fortunately, Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Banks provides a comprehensive questionnaire for use when making a private cord blood bank decision. The list of questions covers everything. Costs, storage, shipping and handling of cord blood, and processing are only a handful of the topics covered.

Here are a few examples of the questions outlined in just one portion the questionnaire:

• Is the family cord blood bank a publicly-held or privately-held company?
  
• Is the company affiliated with a hospital or research institution?
  
• Is the company involved in bio-technology research and development?
  
• What other medical services does the company perform?
• How long has the company been banking cord blood? Notice this is not the same as the age of the company.

This questionnaire is only one of the valuable resources at the site. It's definitely worth a look on the part of anyone curious about cord blood donation and banking.

CarGarageGuys Handle Garage Storage Needs

This may come as a shock, but your garage is actually part of your house. It isn't a mere storage facility and it isn't some kind of crazy landfill. Your garage can be functional. Heck, it can even be attractive.

If you're one of the millions of people who have garages overstuffed with cardboard boxes, barely-operating equipment and appliances, scattered miscellany and a disorganized hodgepodge of tools, it's time to start looking at things differently. It's time to recognize that your garage really is part of your home.

Would you toss stuff into your living room randomly? Do you have stacks of silverware and dishes crammed into the corners of your kitchen where you can't even get to them? Of course not. You'd never treat your living space like that! So, why are you handling your garage that way?

There isn't a good excuse. Especially these days. Keeping a good-looking and organized garage has never been simpler. CarGuyGarage has made garage improvement their focus and they offer amazing Storage Cabinetsand other products to make garages a functional part of the home again. We're talking about over 1,000 different items! If it involves garages, CarGuyGarage probably carries it.

Stainless steel storage cabinets with a sleek look and limitless organizational potential. Grated garage floors that rival those found at the high-end operations. Shelving, cord reels, slat walls and even special refrigerators designed with the garage in mind--these guys have it! They can even supply you with the tools you'll need to handle anything from a simple car wash to a complete antique auto restoration.

Take a long look at your garage and ask yourself if there's room for improvement. After you realize that it's high time to start treating your garage like a real part of your home, take a look at what CarGuyGarage.com is doing. They have everything you need to clean, organize and rejuvenate this often overlooked area.

Kentucky Station Reports on Cord Blood Transplants

A recent news story at WBKO (Bowling Green, KY) highlights some of cord blood's amazing potential. The brief coverage personalizes the medical advances and treatments that have successfully utilized umbilical cord blood by profiling children whose lives have been fundamentally changed for the better.

The story also features an interview with OB educator Martha Houchin who does a nice job explaining why cord blood donation and treatments that make use of cord blood are so powerful.

Excerpt:

"Houchin said cord blood transplants are also being used for other illnesses such as leukemia, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injuries.

"With bone marrow, eight out of eight markers have to match, with cord blood only five have to match," she continued.

For Presley, it's another Tae Kwon Do class.

But for Martha, it's another day to spread the word and save a life.

Houchin said it takes a very small amount of blood from the umbilical cord to generate a whole new system in your body."

You can read the full transcript and/or watch the televised footage here.

Does Branson Approach Avoid Common Concerns

Banking cord blood. Almost everyone agrees it makes sense to maintain umbilical cord blood and that there's no sense in wasting/discarding it. But what arrangement works best for storage? That's the contentious question.

While some (particularly in the for-profit sector) argue that individualized, private blood banking makes sense, others (often in the public health sphere) maintain that a national or international donation-fed cord blood bank is a better solution.

Richard Branson and the Virgin Stem Cell Bank may have a solution. The rebel billionaire's plan calls for collected umbilical cord blood to be split into two units. One will be retained under a private banking plan for those sold on the idea. The other half will be donated to appropriate national cord blood facilities.

Branson's bank may or may not succeed, but the underlying idea of providing a service to those able and willing to pay for it while simultaneously feeding public cord blood banks does seem like an interesting compromise to a difficult difference of opinions.

You can read more about the Virgin Bank here.

Canada Working toward National Cord Blood Bank

Canadian experts are working to secure funding for the construction and maintenance of a multi-million dollar umbilical cord blood bank. The national bank would be used to house donated cord blood that could be used in the treatment of a variety of ailments.

The advocates of the national bank are not only impressed with the medical potential of cord blood. They're also concerned that existing collection strategies aren't providing a sufficiently diverse supply of umbilical cord blood.

The CBC reports:

"Canadian Blood Services plans to ask later this month for $5 million from provincial and territorial governments to start a national public umbilical cord blood bank.

Two dozen experts who met on the issue over the weekend in Ottawa have agreed there are not enough donors to meet the growing demand for regenerative stem cells in Canada.

"There are simply not enough marrow or cord donors in Canada at this time," Dr. Stephen Couban of the Canadian Bone Marrow Transplant Group said after the two-day meeting."

Improving Travel Preparation - Reviewing HotelReservations.com

Traveling is fun and personally rewarding. Preparing for travel is time-consuming and frustrating. It can also be expensive.

That's the way it's always been, anyway. Now, however, it looks like there's a way to avoid all of the annoyance and inefficiency of booking your trip. They also promise lower-than-expected prices.

HotelReservations.com is a one-stop solution for travel planning. As the name suggests, they specialize in giving their users an awesome selection of Hotel Reservations and resort offerings. HotelReservations.com doesn't stop there, though. You can also shop for vacation rentals, arrange airline reservations and secure rental cars with their simple and intuitive interface.

TESTING HOTELRESERVATIONS.COM

There are scores of travel assistance sites out there and it can be hard to tell whether any particular one is actually a great option. So, I put HotelReservations.com to the test. I live in the Kansas City, Missouri area and am familiar with accommodations and costs in this part of the world. I decided to create a mock vacation with HotelReservations to KC in order to test the quality of their service.

HOTEL SPACE: The service did very well in this department. HotelReservations.com gave me listings and more-than-competitive prices for some of the best hotels in the area. I was impressed to find that some of the first listings were for respected and desirable properties in the Country Club Plaza shopping district--a top travel destination.

RENTAL CAR: You can't get around this neck of the woods without a vehicle. HotelReservations found a rental option for well under $15 per day through a major vendor. That's a bargain!

AIR FARE: The site gave me a range of viable air travel options between New York (my hypothetical "start city") and Kansas City. I'm accustomed to making that trip myself and felt that the prices returned by the service were very competitive with other bargain rates I've found elsewhere in the past.

CONCLUSION: After putting HotelReservations.com through the paces, I give it a "thumbs up". It may be possible to shave a dollar or two off your total cost by working each individual aspect of travel planning completely by yourself, but the time and energy wasted in the process would probably swamp any financial benefit that might be gained.

Travel can be fun. Preparing for travel can be enjoyable, too.

Athletes and Umbilical Cord Blood Storage

According to an article about Virgin Health Bank, those with worries regarding leukemia and other similar ailments aren't the only people opting to bank their children's umbilical cord blood. Apparently, professional athletes are also utilizing banking services, hoping that the stem cells of their offspring may later be capable of playing a role in repairing injured body parts.

According to the story, which appears here:

"Stem cells are those potent primal cells that scientists say may someday be used to regenerate damaged organs and nerves, holding the cure for diseases from Parkinson's disease to diabetes. Athletes are even storing their newborn's cord blood cells in the hopes they can be used to regrow their own injured cartilage and ligaments."

Viet Nam and Stem Cell Research

The Vietnamese are actively involved in research and medical treatments utilizing stem cells, including those derived from umbilical cord blood. A recent article at VietNamNet Bridge describes a variety of activities, events and procedures involving stem cell research and banking.

It appears as though plans to build and operate a new cord blood bank are on schedule as well. Cord blood banking and storage is definitely not a US/Europe-only matter. According to the article:

"The Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Bank of the Southern Region (MekoStem), set up by the Mekophar Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, will be put into operation in late October or early November 2007. This bank will preserve umbilical cord blood and tissues."

Choosing the Right Cord Bank

If you've made the decision to bank cord blood, you'll need to find the right establishment to handle your storage needs. The marketplace is crowding with new players in the umbilical cord blood business and there's no reason to believe that there will be a decrease in options any time soon.

So, if you're committed to banking, how can you find the right bank? An American Chronicle article attempts to provide an answer.

Excerpt: "While selecting a blood bank, narrow down your choices to those banks that have a dedicated infrastructure and personnel for umbilical cord blood processing and use ‘controlled rate’ freezing for safe processing of cells."

I've discussed my reservations about American Chronicle assessments before, but this article is worth reading because it does raise some interesting questions about bank selection.

Critical Health Information at Your Fingertips

Improving the quality of your health and life requires an understanding of nutrition and diet. Part of that understanding can be derived from various statistical measures. One should know his or her body mass index and have an idea of a healthy BMI, for instance. Understanding the caloric content of foods and their nutritional value is also important.

Many people try to make positive changes without this crucial information and struggle in the process. They try to do without because they don't know how or where to get the data they need.

That doesn't need to be the case, though. MyFitnessPal.com is a website that provides assets inclucing a bmi calculator.

They also provide a calorie counter that features great ease of use and that supplies additional nutritional information about the foods you eat. This can be a very helpful means of improving one's eating and lifestyle.

MyFitnessPal is a free resource. They don't ask for credit card information and you're under no obligation to make any purchase.

Whether you need a bmr calculator or just need more information about the nutritional value of your diet, MyFitnessPal is a tremendous resource.

Cord Blood Work Yields Liver Segments

Researchers claim they have the capability to grow segments of human liver tissue using stem cells obtained from umbilical cord blood. Although the claim is not yet backed by refereed scientific research, its possibilities are fascinating.

Even the researchers recognize that "growing" new livers may be many years away, but partial livers would provide scientists with an opportunity to test treatments and drugs and conduct research without risk to living animals or people.

According to a BBC report, the scientists behind the liver claim plan to monetize their discovery:

"Researchers Dr Nico Forraz and Professor Colin McGuckin have started a company called ConoStem in an effort to market their stem cell work."

The report provides an interesting look at the potential of such discoveries and the ethical issues they may raise.

Cord Blood Appeal High with Catholic Doctors

The medical potential of stem cell research may be substantial, but its progress is hindered by religious exceptions to the creation and use of embryonic cells. Some physicians maintain that umbilical cord blood may provide a way to avoid ethical concerns while still making substantial headway in the treatment of a variety of diseases.

The Catholic Explorer recently ran a piece that illustrates this perspective clearly. Catholic doctors are rallying behind umbilical cord blood research because it provides a great scientific opportunity while avoiding risk of running afoul of religious perspectives that consider embryonic stem cell work as a violation of the sanctity of life.

Excerpt:

"Cord blood has opened the door to curing patients who otherwise would die," Dr. Patrick Stiff, director of Loyola's Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, told the Catholic Explorer. "We actually have transplanted patients in whom the only other option was a hospice program."

The use of cord-blood stem cells does not involve the destruction of embryos, and the Catholic Church supports their use. They are taken from an umbilical cord after birth and used to treat cancers originating in bone marrow or in the lymphatic system when a traditional bone-marrow transplant is not an option."

Cord Blood America Makes Sales Pitch

A recent press release from Cord Blood America, the parent company of Corcell, an industry leader in umbilical cord blood storage and banking, argues that the corporation is a great investment opportunity.

The release, which provides a link to an interview with Matthew Schissler, the company's CEO, alludes to extremely high growth potential in the stem cell market segment.

Excerpt:

"In the interview, Mr. Schissler says investors should be increasingly interested in the stem cell sector because many more afflictions will be treated, and cured, by stem cells within the next two to five years. "We are the fastest growing stem cell company that we know about, and are highly undervalued," the CEO of Cord Blood America said. "We are positioning our Company to be in control of the inventory, which is crucial to significant corporate growth."