This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6317855.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Branson to launch stem-cell bank | Branson to launch stem-cell bank |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson is set to launch a company which will let families bank and store stem cells from their child's umbilical cord. | Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson is set to launch a company which will let families bank and store stem cells from their child's umbilical cord. |
| Some believe the cells may be used in the future to treat conditions such as Parkinson's disease and cancer. | Some believe the cells may be used in the future to treat conditions such as Parkinson's disease and cancer. |
| A handful of UK companies already offer such a service - but obstetricians and midwives say there is "insufficient evidence" to recommend the practice. | A handful of UK companies already offer such a service - but obstetricians and midwives say there is "insufficient evidence" to recommend the practice. |
| It is thought a few thousand couples have already used stem-cell storage. | It is thought a few thousand couples have already used stem-cell storage. |
| The service is sometimes promoted to parents through leaflets provided in GPs surgeries and antenatal clinics and also in pregnancy magazines. | The service is sometimes promoted to parents through leaflets provided in GPs surgeries and antenatal clinics and also in pregnancy magazines. |
| Midwives feel under pressure to engage in an intervention that is not researched or accepted by the profession yet Sue Jacob class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5414&edition=1&ttl=20070201090911">Send us your comments | |
| Parents can be provided with collection kits which are then taken for processing and storage but some companies send someone to collect the blood. | Parents can be provided with collection kits which are then taken for processing and storage but some companies send someone to collect the blood. |
| Virgin says its service is unique because it will offer a charitable element, allowing the NHS to use some of stem cells the company stores. | Virgin says its service is unique because it will offer a charitable element, allowing the NHS to use some of stem cells the company stores. |
| Sir Richard explained: "We will take a parent's individual cord blood and we will divide it in two. | Sir Richard explained: "We will take a parent's individual cord blood and we will divide it in two. |
| "So, part of it will go into a national blood centre that anybody can get access to. And the other half will be put aside for the child." | "So, part of it will go into a national blood centre that anybody can get access to. And the other half will be put aside for the child." |
| He said this should help particularly high risk ethnic groups who are prone to conditions that can be treated with stem cells but who may have difficulty finding well-matched cord blood. | He said this should help particularly high risk ethnic groups who are prone to conditions that can be treated with stem cells but who may have difficulty finding well-matched cord blood. |
| NHS services | NHS services |
| A report from the RCOG published last year advised doctors and midwives not to take part in the blood collection as they needed to focus on the welfare of the mother and baby. | A report from the RCOG published last year advised doctors and midwives not to take part in the blood collection as they needed to focus on the welfare of the mother and baby. |
| They pointed out that the NHS collects up to 2,000 cord blood samples every year for storage in a public bank that can be used by anyone who needs a cord blood cell transplant. CORD BLOOD STORAGE One-fifth of stem-cell transplants are done in children and young people with leukaemiaThe chance of an individual using personal cord blood for a blood cell disorder before the age of 20 is estimated to be between 1/20,000 to 1/37,000 The NHS cord blood bank has about 7,000 donations | They pointed out that the NHS collects up to 2,000 cord blood samples every year for storage in a public bank that can be used by anyone who needs a cord blood cell transplant. CORD BLOOD STORAGE One-fifth of stem-cell transplants are done in children and young people with leukaemiaThe chance of an individual using personal cord blood for a blood cell disorder before the age of 20 is estimated to be between 1/20,000 to 1/37,000 The NHS cord blood bank has about 7,000 donations |
| Cord blood storage is also carried out in families at high risk of a condition - such as Fanconi anaemia - which could be treated with a transplant. | Cord blood storage is also carried out in families at high risk of a condition - such as Fanconi anaemia - which could be treated with a transplant. |
| Sue Jacob, from the Royal College of Midwives, said the majority of maternity units did not have a policy for dealing with the collection of cord blood, putting midwives in a difficult position. | Sue Jacob, from the Royal College of Midwives, said the majority of maternity units did not have a policy for dealing with the collection of cord blood, putting midwives in a difficult position. |
| Half of 267 midwives questioned in a survey by the college said they had been getting requests for the procedure. | Half of 267 midwives questioned in a survey by the college said they had been getting requests for the procedure. |
| She added: "Midwives feel under pressure to engage in an intervention that is not researched or accepted by the profession yet." | She added: "Midwives feel under pressure to engage in an intervention that is not researched or accepted by the profession yet." |