The fate of federally funded stem cell research may be decided by the time you read this. The emotionally charged debate focuses on embryonic stem cells and the very personal decision as to when life begins…and ends. I'm not optimistic enough to believe the answer to that question will be decided soon, if ever. I'm hopeful, however, that the difference between umbilical cord blood stem cells and embryonic stem cells will become clear in the minds of the public and our elected government officials.
Photos of children labeled "child of frozen embryo" are held by opponents to the legislation, and photos of people bedridden or in wheelchairs, suffering from diseases for which there's no known cure, are held by proponents of the legislation. Stories from both sides bring tears to our eyes. So much media attention has been given to this issue that I've wondered if it's part of an elaborate plan to distract the nation from other current events.
Dana Reeve, wife of the late Christopher Reeve, gave a compelling presentation last month to a Peoria audience of the necessity for funding continued research. She praised the State of Illinois for being the first state in the nation to pass legislation on cord blood stem cell research. It was, in fact, our own Illinois Representative David Leitch who introduced HB1843 last year, which simply requires hospitals to ask pregnant women if they wish to donate the umbilical cord before the afterbirth is discarded for medical treatment and research. Collection and storage is free to the mother. Previously, cord blood was simply labeled hospital waste material and discarded.
The blood is tested for hepatitis and other diseases, and the nurse or doctor collects up to six ounces of cord blood. It's then frozen and stored either for research or for registry on the National Marrow Donor, Caitlin-Raymond International Registry, or Worldwide Marrow Donor registries.
Cord blood cells can be used for bone marrow transplants, curing dozens of childhood cancers, and many adult diseases. Research has reported positive results using cord blood stem cells for ALS and spinal cord injury in animal models. In the future, cord blood stem cells may be used for gene therapy to treat diseases such as AIDS.
Acquiring cord blood is less expensive and requires less follow up due to the nature of the cells and a reduced chance of "graft versus host disease." Treatment by cord blood potentially can reduce the cost of treatments by half. Bone marrow treatment can cost more than $300,000, including a heavy follow-up regimen of costly drugs. "Bone marrow donor searches take three to four months; the odds are slim; the process is painful for donor and recipient; and rejection, or what's called 'graft versus host disease,' is more likely. Thousands die each year, unable to find a match for a marrow transplant. Every year more than 4 million cords are simply thrown away. That's unacceptable," says Leitch.
As an advocate for stem cell research, I could attach a photo of my late husband, who died from graft versus host disease eight years ago this month. Please understand the importance of stem cell research, and help educate pregnant women that there are no negatives to donating umbilical cord blood. While giving life, you can save another life. TPW