The value of cord blood—even greater than once imagined!
This month, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies are reporting that umbilical cord blood can be used to make induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS)—that are immunologically immature with properties similar to human embryonic stem cells.
Embryonic stem cells are of considerable scientific interest because they are “totipotent” —meaning they have the ability to generate all cell types within the human body and form embryos. For these reasons, they hold remarkable potential for regenerative medicine—the ability to unlock the body’s potential to repair and regrow cells and tissues that may be damaged by trauma or disease.
But the political and ethical debate around embryonic stem cells makes them controversial…
With the Salk Institute’s scientific breakthrough, cord blood induced pluripotent stem cells (CBiPS) may now become the gold standard as the foundation in stem cell therapies. According to Dr. Juan-Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte, a professor at the Salk Institute’s Gene Expression Laboratory who led the recent study, “Cord blood stem cells could serve as a safe, “ready-to-use” source for the generation of iPS cells, since they are easily accessible, immunologically immature and quick to return to an embryonic stem cell-like state.”
What does this mean for families who have banked or are considering banking their child’s cord blood?
Families who have banked your child’s cord blood (or are considering it) take note -you may have access to “ready-to-use” stem cell therapies that are greater than we imagined. This includes treatments that may help restore, repair and regenerate various tissues and organs that may have been damaged through injury or illness.
Today, cord blood stem cells are already being used to successfully treat nearly 80 life-threatening diseases and early indications from clinical studies in regenerative therapies for Cerebral Palsy and Type I Diabetes are encouraging. The recent findings from the Salk Institute only strengthen the potential that cord blood stem cells are likely to provide a treasure trove of possibilities for the future.
Tell us, how do you feel about the Salk Institute’s findings about cord blood induced pluripotent stem cells (CBiPS)?
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I wonder what this means for future generations…
I wish that they would start a trial on autism and stem cell transplant. We would want to try. Without “something” my twins will have no real life anyways.
Amen sister! we banked our son’s cord blood. he is not autistic but has alot of sensory issues!!!
I LOVE THE WONDERFUL NEWS. I HAVE A CHILD WHO IS DELAYED AND WOULD GIVE THIIS A TRY TO GIVE HER A BETTER LIFE!
I am so excited to hear this news! We have a son with cerebral palsy and hopefully we can benefit from this treatment some day. Thanks so much to Salk Institute.
This is really exciting news… I would love to find out if this could help regenerate cranial nerve cells in an effort to help patients with Moebius Syndrome.
I agree . . . please research this cord blood for autism!! There are so many parents out there who would do anything to help our children!!! PLEASE HELP!
I agree with Susan.PLEASE do research to help find a way to help parents with children with AUTISM (1 in 91 children) It is the biggest epidemic facing our babies. The numbers are growing!
I hope this is good news for children dealing with type 1 diabetes, as well. My son is a type 1 diabetic. He was diagnosed when he was 2, (now he’s 5). We banked his little sisters cord blood, for the hopes that one day there would be a cure for type 1 diabetes. And maybe even for my daugher. She was born with spina bifida and has some nerve damage. So maybe one day her own cord blood could help her as well.
Hopefully this will be beneficial to my son who is deaf. The hope is that one day they will be able to re-grow the hair cells in the ear using his banked cord blood!
Great news!!! It will be great if we can use the umbilical cord blood to save the life of another member of the family…example using my baby cord blood to help my nephew who has sickle cell disease.
I too hope for nerve cell regeneration research. My son was born with damaged optic nerves, one of the few body parts that doesn’t regenrate or repair itself.
Keep on going forward, I can’t wait for the day I can use my grand daughter cord blood that my eldest banked to help her sister 13 years who has Severe Cerebral Palsy. Her life deserves to be opened up to the possibilites.
We need the help of more people out there to open up the possibilities of stem cell therapy. Due to all of the controversy the government only allows a small amount to be done. We are very limited on the ability to combat certain diseases that could otherwise be cured. Cord Blood is one way that we can help ourselves and our closest family members until such time. Imagine the possibilties that we could overcome with such research!