If you have been researching cord blood banking, you have probably heard of the AABB, the organization that accredits blood banks, including labs that process cord blood.  The AABB publishes a monthly newsletter for its member blood banks.

This months issue of AABB News focuses on the growth of cord blood and cord blood banking.  The feature story is dedicated to the exploration of research initiatives examining the use of cord blood for the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and diabetes.  These are just a few of the exciting areas where cord blood is at the forefront of medical research.

With the investigation of embryonic stem cells as potential treatment for diseases, stem cells have become very controversial.  Parents wonder if banking their infant’s cord blood will be controversial.  The short answer is no.  Cord blood stem cells are used to nourish a baby while the baby is in-utero.  Once the baby is delivered, the cord blood stem cells typically become medical waste.

This “medical waste” can be saved to treat a number of different diseases and is not controversial at all.  The controversy revolves around the use of embryonic stem cells which are grown from existing embryos.  Many religions believe that these stem cells compose a living being, making the use of them unethical.  Since cord blood stem cells do not develop into a human, there is no controversy.

Last week, US representatives Ron Kind (D-WI), Wally Herger (R-CA), Artur Davis (D-AL), Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced the Family Cord Blood Banking Act.  This act will amend Internal Revenue code to add cord blood banking services as a qualified medical expense.  This would allow individuals and couples to pay for umbilical cord blood banking services through flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) or the medical expense tax deduction.

Cord blood is used to treat more than 70 diseases in adults and children.  Since it can only be banked during a baby’s birth, it makes sense for it to be a qualified medical expense.  This legislation could make this an option for more families facing potentially life-threatening diseases,  increase the supply of cord blood stem cells and lower the cost for families in the future.

This measure is supported by the Brain Injury Association of America, the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, and the Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation.