5 Benefits of Preserving Stem Cells

Umbilical cord blood and tissue are rich in powerful stem cells, which have a great potential for renewing body tissues with the aid of natural signals that regulate their growth. Stem cells are collected from a tissue source, isolated, purified, and then preserved in cell expansion equipment to prepare enough cells for successful transplants.

Due to the rise in scope and flexibility of stem cell research, products are being developed based on cell therapy, gene control, and tissue engineering to cure body organ systems and chronic conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease. Stem cell preservation is hence becoming an increasingly vital process. Here are a few benefits of preserving stem cells.

5 benefits of preserving stem cells

1. Stem cells have potential for use by sibling or family

Your baby’s stem cells can prevent it and your entire family from various diseases. Despite the millions of donors registered worldwide, patients still find it difficult to find the right match. By preserving your baby’s stem cells, you are developing a safety net for the child and the entire family who can use these cells for treatments. These cells will be readily available, meaning you will not have to spend days or months looking for a donor in the event of an emergency.

2. They can be stored for 20 years or more

Stem cells are collected and stored in unique cryo-preservation bags, then wrapped and kept separately in aluminum protective cases. Proper stem cell storage is essential for the safety and accuracy of cell banking and clinical trials.

Each sample is labeled with a unique identifying code and stored in a cryopreservation tank in a freezing medium at extremely low temperatures (about -196 °C) to maintain the integrity of cell samples. Studies show that after 23 years of proper preservation, stem cells are still healthy and good to use.

3. Stem cells can treat blood disorders

Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells and can be used to treat more than 80 life-threatening disorders and diseases. These include Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Disease, and some forms of cancers such as Myeloma and Leukemia. Stem cells can also be used to restore the immune system after chemotherapy and as a substitute for bone marrow transplants.

4. Greater therapeutic potential

Umbilical cord stem cells are young and unexposed to the external surroundings. These cells can differentiate and regenerate into various types of cells in the human body. In allogeneic transplants, stem cells are less likely to cause the complication of transplant-related graft versus host disease (GvHD).

5. Future of emerging research

Science is evolving every day, and scientists around the world are constantly undertaking clinical trials with umbilical cord blood and tissue stem cells. These include clinical trials for life-threatening blood disorders and neurological conditions such as stroke, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and diabetes. Conditions that are considered to be incurable today might soon be treated with these supernatural cells.

Conclusion

Preserving your baby’s stem cells is a great investment toward your family’s future health. However, like saving for retirement when you are young or buying health insurance when you are perfectly healthy, the benefits of preserving cord blood stem cells are not always immediate. It is also more intimate and affects people who have conditions that run in their families.