To the Editor: Samuel and colleagues’ article on the ethics of umbilical cord blood (UCB) banking1 reflects much of the misinformation and bias that bedevil this debate. They argue against storage of autologous stem cells from UCB for a variety of contradictory, paternalistic or ideologically driven reasons.
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- 1. Samuel GN, Kerridge IH, O’Brien TA. Umbilical cord blood banking: public good or private benefit? Med J Aust 2008; 188: 533-535. <MJA full text>
- 2. Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide. Number of donors/CBU’s per registry in BMDW. http://www.bmdw.org/index.php?id=number_donors0 (accessed Oct 2008).
- 3. Dunlevy S. Rudd’s baby bonus crackdown. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 2008; 19 Mar. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,220 49,23398368-5001021,00.html (accessed Oct 2008).
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I have worked as an advisor (unpaid) to Cryosite, 2002–2006, and as Alternative Medical Director (remunerated) to Biocell, 2006–07. I hold shares in Cryosite and Biocell, purchased at market value.