Controversy has surrounded the use and research of stem cells recently and this article will help to explain where stem cells are found and how they are being used.

Umbilical cord blood has the highest amount of stem cells, but they are also found in human bone marrow. They are very important because unlike other cells, these can change into and replace any other type of cell. They are being used to treat many diseases, and with research could be used to treat more.

Parents can choose to bank the umbilical cord blood, in case they may need it later to treat an medical condition. The collection is done in the hospital following delivery, usually by the doctor or nurse. The blood is taken from the placenta after it has been removed, and the left over blood in the umbilical cord after it has been detached from the baby. There are costs associated with the collection which may not be covered in the storage fee from the facility the parent has chosen. Fees tend to vary from facility to facility and on the length of time the parents wish to store the blood.

If the mother does not wish to store the blood, she can choose to donate it, similar to donating blood. The collection process is the same as for storage, except there is a medical screening form the mother must fill out and blood work to screen for diseases. The donated blood is used in accordance with the law for research, treatment, and other purposes. The parent does not have a say in how the blood will be put to use, or who uses it. Interested parents should discuss this option with the medical provider who will be delivering their baby. Frequently both the hospital and physician will wave any fees associated with the collection, but not always. There are no fees from the donation facility.

Adults and children can donate their bone marrow to treat blood cancers and other blood related disorders. This has been used as a treatment option in the United States and around the world for decades. The donation is done following a test to confirm that the donor and recipient have the same blood-type and are as close a match as possible. Generally relatives are the best matches, but anyone can be a bone marrow donor. The collection is done under anesthesia with a needle being placed into the hipbone and morrow being extracted. The procedure can be painful, and depending on how the donor is feeling they may need to remain in the hospital.

Collection of umbilical blood poses no risk to the baby, or the mother. There are a few more controversial sources of stem cells that need to be mentioned. The first would be the use of discarded unused frozen embryos. This usually is because the family is no longer seeking to get pregnant. There is also the use of the discarded fetus following a legal abortion. These two methods are currently banned in many countries, including the United States.

Stem cell research is looking into the possibility of treating more and more medical disorders. Researchers are as well looking at the possibility of one day being able to replicate organs for transplant. With research there may be treatment options for Alzheimer disease, other forms of cancer, and autoimmune disorders.

Stems cells are being used to treat blood related disorders and cancers at this point in time. They are also being used as treatment following more conventional chemotherapy to rebuild the immune system of the patient.