Cord Blood Stem Cell Bill Introduced With Bi-Partisan Support

WASHINGTON, October 27, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – U.S. Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Sam Brownback (R-KS), along with co-sponsors Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), announced introduction of the Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2003 last week. This begins a new commitment to developing a national infrastructure for cord blood stem cell collection and research that could, in time, save the lives of thousands of gravely ill Americans.  The success of these adult stem cells trumps any need for recourse to morally objectionable embryonic stem cells.  The bipartisan Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2003 would create a network of qualified cord blood banking centers nationwide. These centers would prepare, store, and distribute human umbilical cord blood stem cells for the treatment of patients and to support research using such cells.  The bill would establish an inventory of 150,000 cord blood stem cell units that reflect the diversity of the United States and will enable at least 90% of Americans to receive an appropriately matched cord blood stem cell transplant. The inventory would provide a critical resource for those in need of transplants and allocate a certain proportion of units to sustain further research on cord blood stem cells.  Research has shown that cord blood can be used as an effective alternative to bone marrow in the treatment of diseases such as sickle cell anemia and leukemia. Because cord blood is a source of undifferentiated stem cells, it can be used in bone marrow reconstitution. Cord blood stem cell transplants provide an advantage relative to bone marrow transplants because they reduce the risk to the donor, are readily available, and lower the risk of transplant complications. It has also proved more effective in children in some cases, and can be used when an adequate bone marrow match cannot be found. The availability of cord blood would further stem cell research.