THE BIRTH OF A BABY is a blessed event. Now scientists and legislators, working together, can make it doubly blessed. A 15-member panel has recommended the Virginia General Assembly establish a statewide umbilical-cord-blood banking system. Why? Because what used to be considered a useless by-product of birth is now recognized as a valuable source of potentially lifesaving stem cells.
All the hoopla over stem cell research has focused on embryonic stem cells, and the morality involved in creating human embryos and harvesting their stem cells, thus destroying them. Much overlooked are the stem cells found in umbilical cord blood, already proven to be useful in fighting leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood diseases. In fact, cord blood has current therapeutic application in 45 known conditions, and researchers are excited about its potential in defeating auto-immune disorders.
Of course, to broaden the application of this new technology, a national cord-blood banking system would be wise. A bill to establish one passed the House of Representatives 431-1, but a parallel measure is now stalled in the Senate. While Congress diddles, the Virginia legislature has the opportunity to move forward. Harvesting the curative powers of cord blood is both practical and moral by most standards.