Stem Cell Storage

Stem cells are kept in storage all over the US, in fact it is commonplace for private storage companies to house them. Here in the UK, the storage of such cells is not quite as common but it still takes place. There are still ongoing debates concerning the benefits of stem cell research with the benefit that such research could bring being uncertain. However as the debate continues the use and storage of stem cells is clearly going to increase as more people decide to freeze stem cells of their child so that they can be used in the future if so needs be.

The most sought after stem cells are umbilical cord blood stem cells as they are the most naïve cells that the body has to offer. This means that they are able to be transformed into other cells (like red or white blood cells) with much more ease. The umbilical cord has a lot of stem cells as well, making it the most popular place to find them. The more ‘plastic’ a stem cell, the more type of cells they can create.

Such is the popularity that private companies offer storage facilities for umbilical cord stem cells taken at birth. Usually it is done using liquid nitrogen. This makes them readily available should they be needed down the line.