The UK Stem Cell Bank and Cord Blood Banking
The UK Stem Cell Bank does not collect, process, store or
distribute Umbilical Cord Blood either for its own use or on behalf
of others.
The Bank was established to provide stocks of human stem cell
lines that have been established in the laboratory and are grown in
tissue culture. This is distinct from the harvesting of
haematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow, peripheral blood and
umbilical cord blood for transplantation which undergoes minimal
manipulation to provide the cells necessary to treat a range of
haematological malignancies and other disorders.
The harvesting of umbilical cord blood, bone marrow and
peripheral blood stem cells is undertaken in the UK by a number of
organisations, both within and outside the National Health
Service. A scientific opinion paper on Umbilical Cord Blood
Banking has recently been prepared by the Royal College of
Obstetricians and Gynacologists (RCOG). A copy of this paper,
which includes a discussion of commercial cord blood banking, can
be found on the
RCOG website.
Further Information on Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
can be found through the links below:
Royal College of Obstetricians
and Gynaecologists
The Anthony Nolan
Trust
British
BoneMarrow Register
London Cord Blood Bank
Royal College of Midwives
Human Tissue Authority