Adult Stem Cells Being Wasted

Posted by Elaine Moore Sep 11, 2007

In the article I wrote on adult stem cells I included a picture of cord and peripheral blood samples on their way to the waste bin. Hospitals spend a fortune having these potentially infectious specimens incinerated.

In my article, I described studies showing the benefits of adult stem cells. Typically, the patients received samples of their own (autologous) blood or bone marrow although in some cases donors have been used to supply the stem cells. Donor stem cells, especially cells from healthy young adults, would be my first choice. It wouldn't be the first time I received recycled medical products.

In the late 1940's scientists were floored by the cost of nuclear waste disposal. So scientists decided that this nuclear waste could be used to create radioiodine therapies capable of destroying bodily tissue. To make a long story short, in 1990, I had radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism which worsened my autoimmune condition while destroying a perfectly viable gland. Alas, for me, this was a poor decision. But someone somewhere saved money because they were able to recycle their nuclear waste.

With blood samples, unlike samples of nuclear waste, patient confidentiality issues could arise. But blood samples that are slated for the incinerator could easily have their labels removed. The blood could be later tested for blood type, infectious diseases, and stem cell content. The blood could also be irradiated or heat treated to render it safe and the stem cells could be isolated. Does it truly matter to the patient if his or her blood is incinerated and spent into the atmosphere or put to a far more noble use.