Umbilical cord blood: Panacea for all diseases

By Amit Dwivedi
March 16, 2010
Author is a health and development journalist. He can be contacted at: amit.dwivedi.lko@gmail.com

A major breakthrough in medical science has been achieved, as panacea for all diseases has been found in the form of umbilical cord blood stem cells. It is the greatest life saving medicine, as it can cure diseases like Leukemia, diabetes, cerebral palsy and the list is endless. If any organ of the body stops functioning then there is no need to perform surgery or make an incision, merely by injecting cord blood stem cells at the site of affected organ the affected organ will regenerate.

This technology was developed in USA in 1992 and India is a major nation where stem cell therapy will come in a big-way as there is greatest genetic diversity in India, which makes immune system stronger. India is a nation with greater genetic diversity than USA hence immune system of people will be stronger here and cord blood stem cell therapy will prove to be more effective in India. Cord blood stem cells have no shelf life and they can be preserved life long.

Cord blood banking is a process of preserving extra blood in the umbilical cord that is attached from the mother'' womb to the baby. After the baby is born the umbilical cord is severed and it was assumed to be of no longer of any use, it was considered as biomedical waste. The blood in the umbilical cord is rich in stem cells that can be restored and replenished for the future use of the baby and his family members and kin.

The Cord blood stem cells could be used like bone marrow transplant to save life. Cord blood banking started in USA in 1990. This technology was later developed in USA in 1992. In 2006 first cord blood stem cell bank was established in Gurgaon.

Cord blood stem cells could be used to regenerate immune system. These cells if injected in blood help in regeneration of tissues. These cells can cure type-1 diabetes, which was earlier considered to be incurable. It can regenerate pancreas, liver and have immense regeneration power. Cord blood stem cells have no shelf life they can be preserved life long at a temperature of minus 196 degrees. Cord blood stem cells have 10 times greater potential of regeneration in comparison to adult cells.

Brain cells, which were considered as un-repairable but this technique could regenerate brain cells and can cure cerebral palsy in children when the brain cells of the child start dying due to lack of oxygen. It can regenerate every organ of the body. In India children suffer from sickle cell anemia, which was incurable earlier but now it can be cured.

Diseases that can be cured by injecting cord are; Sickle Cell Anemia, inherited error of metabolism, Aplastic anemia, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, Cerebral Palsy, Brain Anoxia, Diabetes, heart diseases, Peripheral vascular diseases. It can regenerate heart tissues and cornea of the eye.

Posted on: March 16, 2010 08:09 AM IST