Rights and Legislation

Since the FDA first established standards for family banking in 1998, public policy initiatives at both the federal and state level continue to reinforce the value of cord blood stem cells.

In 2005, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a recommendation that expectant parents be given a balanced perspective on their options for cord blood banking. In doing so, the IOM acknowledged the significance of cord blood stem cells, and the unfortunate situation that many families were not taking advantage of their options to bank or donate them. In fact, this year the cord blood from more than 90 percent of the four million births will be discarded as medical waste.

The right of families to be informed of all their options for cord blood stem cells in time to make a knowledgeable decision is often referred to as “informed consent.” CBR supports every family’s right to receive balanced information about their cord blood banking options, and encourages the passage of informed consent legislation that educates expectant women about the life-saving potential of cord blood stem cells.

Expectant parents need to discuss with their physician their family medical history as well as current and future uses for cord blood stem cells when considering their choice. Choices include:

• Family Banking: Parents have guaranteed access to a child’s genetically-unique stem cells for future use within the family, including the child, siblings, parents or extended family members. Click here to learn more.
• Free Program for Acute Family Need: CBR’s Designated Transplant Program provides free processing and storage to qualifying families with a member suffering from a disease treatable with cord blood stem cells. Click here to learn more.
• Public Donation: If eligible, expectant parents can donate cord blood stem cells for public use or research. Click here to learn more about cord blood stem cells for public use.
• Medical Waste: The cord blood stem cells are discarded after delivery at the hospital.