The Human Tissue Authority (HTA), the regulator for human tissue, cells and organs, has today published a cord blood banking guide for expectant parents considering cord blood donation and banking. The aim of the guide is to enable parents to make informed choices about cord blood.
The guide, which offers information about donating cord blood to a public bank and banking cord blood privately, has been developed in collaboration with clinicians, consultants, and other experts in this area. The project was launched in response to a survey conducted by the HTA last year, which revealed a clear need for more information on banking cord blood.
Sarah Bedwell, Director of Regulation at the HTA said: “More and more parents are considering banking their baby’s cord blood. This is an important decision that can only be made once for each child. Our guidance gives parents access to the information they need to make the right choice for their family.”
“It is important that cord blood banks make sure that they are giving parents accurate information to support their choice. We are working with the banks to ensure that information available on their websites, and in their marketing literature, enables parents to make an informed choice.”
David Burrowes MP, Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Stem Cell Transplantation said: “I welcome this guide because the more impartial information there is available to the public, the better informed families can be to make decisions about banking or donating cord blood. The guide explains what cord blood is used for, and contains information about the different options and processes involved in banking or donating cord blood.”
The guide also contains information about cord blood quality and how this determines what banked cord blood may or may not be used for. The guide details factors affecting the quality, and how to check the quality of cord blood that has been collected. The guide also explains key terminology, and highlights some important questions that the HTA recommends parents ask cord blood banks.
Sarah Bedwell added: “As the UK regulator for cord blood banks it is very important to us that parents are making informed choices about banking and donating. Our 2014 survey showed that there was a clear need for impartial information and advice to help parents make this important decision and we hope this guide helps to fill this gap.”
The guide is available on the HTA website
Notes
- Cord blood banking: Umbilical cord blood, commonly referred to as ‘cord blood’, is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following childbirth. Cord blood contains stem cells, which have the potential to develop into different cell types. Cord blood can be used to treat and cure many life-threatening diseases and there are other potential uses currently under investigation. Cord blood may be collected at the time of birth by public or private cord blood banks, and stored so that it is available for the potential future treatment of the child or another person.
- The HTA’s role in cord blood banking: The HTA is the regulator for human tissue, cells and organs. The HTA licenses both public and private cord blood banks in the UK. Since 5 July 2008, the HTA has regulated the collection, testing, processing, storage, distribution, import and export of cord blood. In the UK these ‘licensable activities’ can only lawfully take place under an HTA licence.
- About the Survey: Between October 2014 and February 2015, the HTA undertook a survey into the public understanding and experience of cord blood banking. The survey received over 120 responses from members of the public.