Umbilical Cord Blood Bank

About baby cord blood.?

I know this is going to sound like I am being funny, but I am really curious. My wife is 9 months pregnant, and we keep getting these brochures and sales pitches about cord blood storage (something above out financial means and insurance doesn't cover it). My question is, if I poured cord blood on a wound, or drank it, would it heal stuff in my body? Like if the tip of my finger got cut off, could I just soak it in a bowl of cord blood and grow a new finger? I know this sounds sarcastic or humurous, but I am really not trying to be. Yes, I understand what the cord blood banks are, and why. I am just asking what would be the result if I drank the cord blood or something?

Public Comments

1. read article from the link below:
2. CORD BLOOD IS STORED, JUST IN CASE LATER ON DOWN THE LINE IF YOUR CHILD WAS TO GET SICK WITH LEUKEMIA,OR ETC...THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO USE THE CORD BLOOD. TO GET YOUR CHILD WELL..
3. No, cord blood is not a miracle cure for limb regeneration. Cord blood is rich in stem cells which are used in numerous medical procedures and experiments. Honestly, I think that (in theory) storing cord blood would beneficial and perhaps necessary for families with vast medical histories. But, the process of obtaining the cord blood is up to the parents and the overall costs are numerous (remember, you will be charged per year for storage). Personally, I think that the numerous brochures just cause worry for new parents and make financially strapped parents feel inadequate. I would only consider the cord blood process and procedure if my family history made it necessary. Otherwise, it just seems to be some kind of marketing scheme!
4. Cord blood is not some miracle cure. If you drank it, it might make you nauseated (blood in the stomach is emetogenic - it makes you vomit). If you pour it on a wound, it would make it messy. Just more blood to wipe up. The reason to store it would be for your child's benefit only - a source of HIS or HER stem cells, that may someday be useful to HIM or HER. It could also be used for DNA comparison (not to be morbid, but to identify remains, or prove that it's your child in a kidnapping situation) Wouldn't it be great if cord blood COULD cure things? Maybe someday.
5. Cord blood storage for the personal benefit of your baby is a bit of a scam, as no one knows if the stem cells in the cord blood will ever be usable. At present there are many companies, some of dubious reputation, offering to store your baby's cord blood for a price. It has minimal medical value to you or your future child at present, but it may do with medical advances in years to come. It certainly won't help you to regenerate missing tissues, now or in the future. Read the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines for more information