Stem Cells

Bubby · 13th May 2009, 10:37

Hello Guys,

I was just wondering that if anybody from TBHP has any experience with Stem Cell preservation.

At the time of birth the blood found in the umbical cord is a rich source of stem cells. These stem cells can be used to cure many life-threatening diseases and medical conditions.

These stem cells are an exact match for immidiate relations of the father and mother.

These are preserved somewhere in Chennai by company named LifeCell and are preserved for an unlimited period.

For the first 25 years from childs birth its the property of parents and from there on it gets transfered into the childs name.

Cost involved is around 1 lakh, its a one time pay out.

Below is the link to the service provider in India :::

Facilitating Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking In India

manasm · 13th May 2009, 10:41

We are having a baby soon and have done the research - will definately be getting the stem cells frozen for our baby.

Bubby · 13th May 2009, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by manasm

We are having a baby soon and have done the research - will definately be getting the stem cells frozen for our baby.

Even we are having a baby soon, so I was just wondering if anybody has any experience with the same.

Are you getting it done by the same company? How much are they charging for the same? I heard that they even are offering EMI schemes for max. 2 years.

Sam Kapasi · 13th May 2009, 11:41

Interesting. I will be watching this thread. Somehow reminds me of that "investment portfolio for new-born" thread.

sgiitk · 13th May 2009, 11:50

There is no doubt about the future of Stem Cell Therapy. So preserving the cord blood may be an excellent insurance.

However, while the promise is there we have too many unsubstantiated claims and the rest going around. It is very difficult to separate the grain from the chaff.

bblost · 13th May 2009, 11:51

Just curious.

Why store the cells, when we can get someone in the

Quote:

immidiate relations of the father and mother.

to have a baby.
and 25 years. maybe the just born today can have his/her own baby.

EDIT:
OT: reminds me of the Seinfeld episode in, which Kramer stores his blood in the fridge.

Su-47 · 13th May 2009, 11:58

We banked the umbilical cord blood of our son with Lifecell. This was about three years back, and I was decently happy with their service. Back then, it was much cheaper: about 60K.

Sam, this might've reminded you of the investment thread, but this is more of an insurance than an investment. And, I hope I never have to use the stem-cells we've banked.

God bless,
Su-47

EDIT:
bblost said: "Why store the cells, when we can get someone in the (immidiate relations of the father and mother. )"
Because the embryonic blood is rich in stem cells which can be programmed to become any type of cell (skin, blood and what not).

BTW, embryonic blood is not the only way to get stem cells. The other method is where an embryo's nucleus is sucked out and another cells's nucleus is implanted. If this embryo grows up successfully (which in all probability won't), it will be a clone. The other use is to generate whatever type of cells (say a liver) by growing these stem cells. Since this involves an embryo, there are lot of ethical issues.

This is a hot area which is not just science but factors like religion play a big role as well.

Bubby · 13th May 2009, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblost

Just curious.

Why store the cells

The blood which is present in the umbical chord is rich in stem cell and will stay rich only if its preserved immidiately after the childs birth, which in turn is much different from what a grown up human beings blood.

That is why a need to store.

These cells when injected into an infected person ( immidiate relations ), replaces and rebuilds the infacted cell completely from the very core, and the person gets cured of the disease permanently.

tsk1979 · 13th May 2009, 12:16

Today stem cell research may be in its infancy but there is a good chance that 10 years later the stem cells saved today could save your or your loved ones life.
A lot of negativity about stem cells comes from religious zealots who say "do not play god".

prince_pervez · 13th May 2009, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Today stem cell research may be in its infancy but there is a good chance that 10 years later the stem cells saved today could save your or your loved ones life.
A lot of negativity about stem cells comes from religious zealots who say "do not play god".

Those who have to go (after their call has come) will go no matter what.
Those who still have their time left here will stay on no matter what.(Stem cells have a part here, only).
Imagine God saying "Damn! I wanted xyz to come to me, ah, but he got saved by the stem cells. I should have thought about that earlier" (Bump on the forehead)
Just my views.
Will I go for Stem cell preservation of my son/daughter, yes why not!

panky12345 · 13th May 2009, 12:30

I've had personal experience with "stem cell transplant" with one of the family members in the US.

I'll limit the discussion where in the future the subject is under a life-threating situation..

Any stem cell transplant consists of mainly 3 types: Autologus; Umbilical and Allogenic.

In Autologus, patients' own preserved cells are used (frozen) and typically overlap to some extent with Umbilical Cord, whereas in Allogenic, a donor profiling on 6 parameters is done. Western countries boast a 25% chance of Exact (100% match) Donor Profiling, whereby this is close to 70% when it comes to India.. but the problem here is that in India, there are a very few hospitals which conduct an Allogenic SCT (Stem Cell Transplant).

Considering the above, it is useful that one should go in for Umbilical cord freezing.

EDIT: Couldnt agree more with prince_pervez!

bblost · 13th May 2009, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by prince_pervez

Imagine God saying "Damn! I wanted xyz to come to me, ah, but he got saved by the stem cells. I should have thought about that earlier" (Bump on the forehead)

or maybe God saying. Damn why did that xyz not use the science I was enabling them to understand and use.

just my thought.

How can man know and try to judge, what is God's wish.

ritayan · 9th August 2011, 21:03

Can anyone indicate what are current prices for this and which is the better banks offering this service.

Eddy · 9th August 2011, 21:11

Lifecell will cost you approx 70k.

Reisender · 10th August 2011, 10:33

Hello all,

I did stored stem cells of my kid in Feb'09 with Life cell International. Total cost came around 70K for 25 years (?).

Thanks,
R

13th May 2009, 10:37	#1
Bubby BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 503 Thanked: 169 Times	Stem Cells Hello Guys, I was just wondering that if anybody from TBHP has any experience with Stem Cell preservation. At the time of birth the blood found in the umbical cord is a rich source of stem cells. These stem cells can be used to cure many life-threatening diseases and medical conditions. These stem cells are an exact match for immidiate relations of the father and mother. These are preserved somewhere in Chennai by company named LifeCell and are preserved for an unlimited period. For the first 25 years from childs birth its the property of parents and from there on it gets transfered into the childs name. Cost involved is around 1 lakh, its a one time pay out. Below is the link to the service provider in India ::: Facilitating Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking In India
	() Thanks

13th May 2009, 10:41	#2
manasm BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 300 Thanked: 180 Times	We are having a baby soon and have done the research - will definately be getting the stem cells frozen for our baby.
	() Thanks

13th May 2009, 11:41	#4
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,939 Thanked: 2,479 Times View My Garage	Interesting. I will be watching this thread. Somehow reminds me of that "investment portfolio for new-born" thread.
	() Thanks

13th May 2009, 11:50	#5
sgiitk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,971 Thanked: 4,808 Times	There is no doubt about the future of Stem Cell Therapy. So preserving the cord blood may be an excellent insurance. However, while the promise is there we have too many unsubstantiated claims and the rest going around. It is very difficult to separate the grain from the chaff.
	() Thanks

13th May 2009, 11:58	#7
Su-47 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 693 Thanked: 364 Times	We banked the umbilical cord blood of our son with Lifecell. This was about three years back, and I was decently happy with their service. Back then, it was much cheaper: about 60K. Sam, this might've reminded you of the investment thread, but this is more of an insurance than an investment. And, I hope I never have to use the stem-cells we've banked. God bless, Su-47 EDIT: bblost said: "Why store the cells, when we can get someone in the (immidiate relations of the father and mother. )" Because the embryonic blood is rich in stem cells which can be programmed to become any type of cell (skin, blood and what not). BTW, embryonic blood is not the only way to get stem cells. The other method is where an embryo's nucleus is sucked out and another cells's nucleus is implanted. If this embryo grows up successfully (which in all probability won't), it will be a clone. The other use is to generate whatever type of cells (say a liver) by growing these stem cells. Since this involves an embryo, there are lot of ethical issues. This is a hot area which is not just science but factors like religion play a big role as well. Last edited by Su-47 : 13th May 2009 at 12:10.
	() Thanks

13th May 2009, 12:16	#9
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,695 Thanked: 23,484 Times View My Garage	Today stem cell research may be in its infancy but there is a good chance that 10 years later the stem cells saved today could save your or your loved ones life. A lot of negativity about stem cells comes from religious zealots who say "do not play god".
	() Thanks

13th May 2009, 12:30	#11
panky12345 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,697 Thanked: 172 Times	I've had personal experience with "stem cell transplant" with one of the family members in the US. I'll limit the discussion where in the future the subject is under a life-threating situation.. Any stem cell transplant consists of mainly 3 types: Autologus; Umbilical and Allogenic. In Autologus, patients' own preserved cells are used (frozen) and typically overlap to some extent with Umbilical Cord, whereas in Allogenic, a donor profiling on 6 parameters is done. Western countries boast a 25% chance of Exact (100% match) Donor Profiling, whereby this is close to 70% when it comes to India.. but the problem here is that in India, there are a very few hospitals which conduct an Allogenic SCT (Stem Cell Transplant). Considering the above, it is useful that one should go in for Umbilical cord freezing. EDIT: Couldnt agree more with prince_pervez! Last edited by panky12345 : 13th May 2009 at 12:32.
	() Thanks

9th August 2011, 21:03	#13
ritayan BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Back in Delhi Posts: 228 Thanked: 48 Times View My Garage	Re: Stem Cells Can anyone indicate what are current prices for this and which is the better banks offering this service.
	() Thanks

9th August 2011, 21:11	#14
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 9,557 Thanked: 14,513 Times	Re: Stem Cells Lifecell will cost you approx 70k.
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10th August 2011, 10:33	#15
Reisender BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Atlanta, USA ; Chennai India Posts: 159 Thanked: 64 Times	Re: Stem Cells Hello all, I did stored stem cells of my kid in Feb'09 with Life cell International. Total cost came around 70K for 25 years (?). Thanks, R
	() Thanks