Abstract This paper investigates the probability that without effective intervention, umbilical cord banking will no better serve certain population groups, particularly minorities, any more effectively than existing bone marrow technology. It looks at how umbilical cord banking is more and more becoming a 'hot topic' among medical communities the world over and how recent technological advances have enabled scientists to bank umbilical cordblood as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for both pediatric and adult patients with certain blood related disorders.
Outline
Introduction
Significance of the Study
Literature Review
Benefits Cord Banking
CordBlood Vs. Bone Marrow Transplantation
The Effects of Intervention
Summary of Preliminary Literature Review
Methods
Possible/Anticipated Results
From the Paper "Ballen, et. Al (2002) performed a study comparing the racial composition of five member cord blood banks of the National Marrow Donor Program. The study examined cord blood and bone marrow donors using self reported racial designations and questionnaire, and showed that cord blood banks in California, Florida and Massachusetts recruited a lower percentage of minorities than the bone marrow centers in the same areas. However in New York and Colorado the recruitment for minorities was the same in both cord banks and marrow centers. However, the study also showed that in all of the centers examined, cord blood banks generally recruited a lower percentage of minorities than "those delivering at the respective hospitals" with the authors concluding that the problems of insufficient minority recruitment with regard to cord blood banking "Has not yet been solved" (Ballen, et. Al, 2002:1247)."
Abstract The paper discusses the new trend of banking personal umbilical cordblood intended for private use in the United Kingdom. The paper looks at the position of supporters and opponents and shows how this ethical controversy touches upon many issues raised by a national healthcare system. The paper suggests two solutions and maintains that a balance between public and private funds must always be negotiated, even in a system of socialized medicine.
From the Paper "According to Leroy C Edozien of the British Medical Journal, increasing numbers of women in maternity units across the United Kingdom are requesting doctors to collect and preserve their umbilical cord blood when delivering their babies to enable the women to privately store the umbilical cord stem cells for possible transfusions in the future. "Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells that can be used to treat patients with abnormal haematopoietic cell lines, childhood leukemia, or metabolic diseases. Bone marrow is used for this purpose, but cord blood is cheaper and easier to obtain and less likely to trigger a harmful immune response or rejection in the recipient" (Edozien 2006). The NHS of Britain has been banking donated cord blood since 1996 in public banks operated by the National Blood Service that are voluntarily and anonymously donated to be used for general purposes in the larger population."
This paper explains that stem cell research is leading scientists to investigate the possibility of treating disease with cell-based therapies, often referred to as regenerative or reparative medicine.
Abstract This paper relates that implanted stem cells used to repair or replace damaged tissues are less likely to be rejected by the body's immune system than other foreign cells. The author points out that germ line cells and adult stem cells are less versatile than embryonic stem cells, which can develop into every type of tissue found in an adult; however, the processes that control this development are at present not fully understood. The paper discusses that BioMark International, a privately funded Biotech Group, provides access to a unique method of CordBlood Stem Cell (CBSC)processing by which CBSCs are derived from the umbilical cords from natural full term births of consenting mothers, all of whom have been tested according to standards set by the American Association of Blood Banks .
From the Paper "In May 2004, Nancy Reagan, whose husband former President Ronald Reagan was at the time suffering the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, urged the Bush administration to support embryonic stem cell research and said that too much time had been wasted discussing the issue. Although a Republican, Mrs. Reagan has been critical of the Bush administration for blocking public funding of stem cell research due to the party's ethical reservations concerning embryo research. Speaking at a fundraising dinner for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, she said she believed the research could lead to a cure for Alzheimer's disease, and "may provide our scientists with many answers that for so long have been beyond our grasp...I just don't see how we can turn our backs on this...We have lost so much time already...I just really can't bear to lose any more.""
Abstract This paper depicts the emotional and psychological struggle the author goes through in "The Broken Cord" by Michael Dorris which is about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Abstract This paper looks at the blood, and at the various cells of which it is composed. It looks at the properties of white cells, and the mechanism of homeostasis. It also looks at how overgrowth of a blood clot is prevented naturally, and examines two undesirable conditions of intra-vascular blood clotting.
Abstract This paper evaluates the use of home blood pressure monitors from a physician's point of view. The author argues that blood pressure monitors are beneficial in the treatment of high blood pressure when patients self-monitor their blood pressure readings at home. The author stresses that the monitor must be approved.
Abstract This paper looks at many factors relating to blood,including different cell types, Rh factor, serum constituents, how it circulates throughout the body and blood tests. The paper also looks at the average lifespan of red cells and explains the implications of higher than normal red cells.
From the Paper "The average adult male has between five and six liters of blood and the average female has between four and five liters. The color of blood is determined by the state of oxygenation of its red cells. When blood leaves the heart it has been oxygenated in the lungs and therefore arterial blood is bright red. When blood has passed through the tissues oxygen has been removed from the red cells so the blood appears dark red in the veins. Nutrients carried in the blood include..."
Abstract This paper discusses blood glucose and analyzes an experiment, which was conducted to determine the effects of hormones on blood glucose. This paper describes how the experiment was conducted, the materials and methods used, and then discusses and analyzes the results and findings from the experiment. This paper includes charts, graphs, and illustrations that correspond with the data.
From the Paper "Blood glucose (sometimes inaccurately referred to as blood sugar) (Randall et al, 2002), is a measurement of the concentration of glucose in mammalian blood. Glucose is the most vital and direct source of energy for all living organisms, and it is required by virtually all cells all the time. This constant need is satisfied by an efficient system to transport sugar in the blood, via a complex network of hormones and neurotransmitters (Lodish et al, 2004). Thus, the important task of glucose regulation and distribution throughout the body is under the control of numerous chemical messengers. The most common method of studying their functions and interactions is by analyzing the blood glucose levels. This measurement is considered an indicator of the current net result of the hormones' actions relative to each other. A more practical approach is to inject a single hormone and observe its influence on blood glucose. In this experiment, three hormones were investigated using this method: insulin, glucagon and epinephrine (Animal Physiology I Laboratory Manual, Lab 7). Rabbits were chosen as subjects because they are physiologically similar in physiology to humans. Therefore, many of the results and ensuing conclusions of this experiment can be reliably applied to humans."
Abstract A paper on the effect of weightlessness on the circulatory system which proves that zero gravity reduces blood flow in the body causing dizziness and fainting of people on space flights but has no lasting effects once returned to earth.
Abstract This paper explores Trenka's memoir "The Language of Blood" from the point of view of her adoptive mother and contemplates the issue of perspective as an integral part of memoir. It looks at how Trenka uses the book to reconcile herself and to appreciate the sacrifices and support made and given by her adoptive mother.
From the Paper "Trenka, in several instances, admits to her ingratitude towards her "fake" mom, "Of course my "real" mom was never around to say no to me, to tell me I couldn't go skiing with my friends because it was piano lesson day.....No the dirty work was left up to Margaret" (Trenka 60). This comment seems to get glossed over in the body of Trenka's tale. In fact she seems to use this to justify the inflation of her Umma to mythological proportions and immediately moves on to the arrival of Umma's first letter, after which Trenka's suspicions are correct. "
Tags:blood, fiction, genre, honesty, mother, truth
Abstract This paper examines the different cellular elements of blood, describing their function and how they help maintain homeostasis. the paper also describes the reflex arc in the nervous system and how it operates.
Abstract The paper discusses the large number of deaths associated with the blood thinner known as Heparin and attributes this to the drug source being one of Chinese origin. The paper places the blame on the FDA on their shortcomings of not efficiently testing drug sources.
Outline:
Summary of issues presented
Description of parties involved
Potential resolutions
Open questions
From the Paper "One of the most significant issues with regards to deaths and injuries associated with Heparin is one which involves a blatant oversight on the part of the FDA. The FDA is duty bound to inspect any plant providing ingredients or product that are approved by the FDA. The FDA has admitted that its officials have neglected to inspect, Changzhou SPL, the Chinese plant which provided the heparin utilized by Baxter International, the maker of the heparin in question. The implications of this are such that the failure on the part of the FDA to do its job can be cited for the resulting deaths of what is now estimated to be approximately seventeen ."
Abstract Umbilical cordblood offers great hope for the future of stem cell research and use. This paper examines the potential of these types of stem cells in order to demonstrate how stem cells from umbilical cordblood can help scientists solve the ethical debate and provide sick patients with hope for life.
Paper Outline
Introduction
Stem Cell Background
About Umbilical Cord Stem Cells
Umbilical CordBlood Process
The Great Stem Cell Debate
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "Estimations regarding the need for a given cord blood sample vary. One estimate of a child needing his or her own cord blood stem cells is 1:10,000 (Wolf, 2002). Another places the odds at 1:1000 to 1:2000. The probability of use varies depending on individual circumstances. Disturbing statistics reveal that every year there are about 8,000 new cases of cancer in children under the age of 15. These children could potentially benefit from the use of cord blood stem cells, so perhaps expectant parents should make the effort to donate their newborn's cord blood or store it for their own family's potential use."
Abstract In this article the writer notes that stem cells have received much attention because of their unique capacity to renew themselves and morph into several different types of specialized cells. The writer also points out that the practice of harvesting stem cells from aborted fetuses has received much criticism from conservative groups, prompting President Bush to halt federal funding for stem cell research. This paper argues that there is a way to accommodate ethical concerns, while reaping the benefits of stem cell research. The writer maintains that umbilical cords are a viable source of stem cells, and do not raise the same ethical issues as harvesting from fetuses. The writer argues, therefore, that parents should be strongly encouraged to donate their newborns' umbilical cords to public and private banks, to provide scientists with a source of stem cells for their life-saving research.
From the Paper "Already, umbilical cord stem cells are proving remarkably promising in the treatment of diseases. Researchers have already identified some 67 afflictions that have been successfully treated with cord blood stem cells, and more illnesses are being added to that list. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for example, have released a study regarding the use of cord blood stem cells in the treatment of Krabbe's Disease, a fatal disorder of the central nervous system. Babies born with this hereditary disease suffer seizures, blindness, deafness and feeding problems before death at around age two. However, the researchers found that infusing newborns at birth with the cord blood stem cells from an unrelated donor are still alive well past their second birthday. Though some of the children show problems walking, the majority score normally on cognitive development tests and all the children exhibit normal vision."
