Umbilical blood bank urges change in law

The Ministry of Health is to consider a proposal from a private blood bank that wants to open its stores of umbilical cord blood to immediate relatives as of right.

The Auckland-based CordBank, the only bank of its type in Australasia, is urging the Government to allow its use due to scientific developments in stem cell research.

At present, New Zealand law only allows umbilical cord blood to be used by the baby from whom it was taken unless special dispensation is given by the ministry.

CordBank founder and medical director Dr Mary Birdsall said: "Cord blood is exceptionally rich in stem cells and every week new breakthroughs are being reported in international scientific journals about the medical uses for stem cells.

"Easing the rules here to allow the blood stored in our facility to be used by siblings and other close relatives could be of enormous benefit to New Zealand families."

Dr Birdsall said it would save families the stress of having to seek case-by-case dispensation and increase access to the blood of more than 2000 babies stored in the two-year-old facility.

"It would also be more cost-effective for the public health system."

Dr Birdsall said New Zealand had no public cord bank and allowing family members access to private cord blood would bring the country into line with many others around the world.

"Because there is no public facility available here, CordBank offers people the only opportunity to future proof their families in this way."

Dr Birdsall said at least 45 diseases could be treated with cord blood, including leukaemia, aplastic anaemia, and immunodeficiencies.

"Some [treatments] use one's own cord blood and some use other people's cord blood. We'd like as many as possible to benefit from this which is why we are asking the Minister of Health to allow cord blood to be used by relatives."

Dr Birdsall said stem cell research was one of the most exciting medical advances of recent years.

In addition to the numerous life-threatening diseases that could be treated right now, potential uses for cord blood was growing rapidly.

In the past year alone research has indicated stem cells could be used to treat spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, motor neurone disease, type one diabetes, stroke victims and brain injuries.

CordBank is licensed by Medsafe, a division of the Ministry of Health and Dr Birdsall said cord blood collection was endorsed by obstetricians throughout the country.

"The process is safe for baby and mother, is painless and takes just minutes."

The Ministry of Health said it would consider the proposal.