Is this where science fiction meets everyday life? Is that most sacred bond - that between a mother and her newborn child - being invaded by the new technology of genetic engineering? Or is stem cell storage going to be like a routine blood test in the near future?

In what seems like an incredible leap in medical and genetic research, India is advancing towards the infinite possibilities offered by stem cells grown from Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB). And a new kind of choice faces mothers-to-be as they decide what is best for their infant...

What is Umbilical Cord Blood?

Blood contained in the umbilical cord is UCB. It is collected at the time of delivery of a baby. The reason it is of medical interest is because 16 years ago, researchers found that UCB contains a very rich source of 'stem cells'.

How is UCB collected?

Usually, after a baby is delivered, the umbilical cord is clamped in two places and while the baby is removed for cleaning after being cut away from the umbilical cord, the placenta and the remaining umbilical cord are waiting to be expelled by the mother. It is at this stage that we insert a needle into the umbilical vein and collect the foetal blood via gravity into the blood collection bag. After a while, the vein naturally collapses. We are not taking anything extra either from the baby or from the mother. The process is not painful and the mother is not even aware of the procedure most of the time, since she is recovering from the larger process of delivering her baby.