In the past, we have posted about experimental stem cell therapies, but, it is so important, we have to mention it again.  When we say experimental, we are not talking about the research that is conducted through major universities, using established research methods to determine if a treatment is effective.  We are talking about companies in other countries that prey on the fears of parents with sick children, charging hundreds of thousands of dollars for unproven therapies.

As parents, we completely understand parents’ desire to do everything possible for their children.  The problem is that nobody knows if any of these treatments work.  Since they have never been tested with established research protocols, there is no way to know if they are effective.

China is one of the major markets in this industry.  The Chinese government has announced that it plans to regulate the burgeoning stem cell industry to prevent unscrupulous companies from profiting in this rapidly growing market.  The question is whether the regulations will be developed to protect existing medical treatment companies.  Developments in the Chinese stem cell industry will be interesting in the next few months and deserve observation.

Last week, Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) introduced a new bill, referred to as the Cord Blood Education and Awareness Act of 2009.  This bill will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a public education campaign on umbilical cord blood stem cells.

Expectant moms will receive an informed consent providing balanced information on the different options for banking cord blood, information on the medical value of cord blood stem cells in the treatment of disease, and a declaration of a woman’s chosen option for the disposition of a child’s cord blood stem cells, whether public donation, private banking, or other disposal.

Physicians providing ambulatory prenatal care will need to provide information on the options available with cord blood banking to expectant women before they start their 3rd trimester.  They will also need to get the woman’s signature on the consent form regarding the disposition of the baby’s cord blood.

This bill would do a great job of evening out the field for access to information.  Physicians will provide unbiased information to expectant parents, enuring that parents are able to make an informed decision about banking their infant’s cord blood.  In addition, healthcare providers will have the information on the parents’ choice, ensuring that their wishes are