We were fortunate enough to have Dr. Mervin Yoder join us for our second life science distinguished speaker's series luncheon. Dr. Yoder is a professor of pediatrics and biochemistry and molecular biology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He has written extensively on human umbilical cord blood banking and stem cell research. The timing of Dr. Yoder's remarks couldn't have been better as the Indiana statehouse recently signed legislation that established a public umbilical cord blood bank in Indiana (HB 1172).
Dr. Yoder focused his remarks on three areas:
- cord blood and vessel origins;
- stem cell types and sources; and
- uses of umbilical cord blood.
There are two main categories of stem cells: embryonic stem cells (ES), which are derived from the cells of mammalian embryos, and adult, or somatic stem cells.
Stem cells hold particular promise in the treatment of diseases affecting bone marrow, nerve cells, heart muscle cells and pancreatic cells specifically for their ability to self-renew, or to divide and give rise to other stem cells.
Research into embryonic stem cells is relatively new. The first cord blood transplant was successfully completed in 1989. Since then, there have been 7,000 cord blood transplants and an increase in the number of cord blood banks. Cord blood has been proven as an effective treatment for a number of blood diseases. In fact, nearly 90 percent of children who have a fully matched sibling survive, but only 40-50 percent of patients receiving an unrelated donor transplant survive.
Dr. Yoder concluded his remarks with a look to the future. Specifically, he called on public cord blood banks to establish procedures and guidelines for collecting, maintaining and receiving donations. He also issued an appeal to banks to continue to educate health care professionals about the guidelines and to work with the healthcare community to establish procedures concerning patient informed consent and privacy. Finally, he issued a call to action to all in attendance to help promote public awareness of the benefits of cord blood banking and stem cell research.
Clearly the research at Indiana University and the passage of HB 1172 has put Indiana on the map with respect to cord blood banking. Now's the time to expand our reach and continue to innovative and find new treatment options for life threatening diseases.
