Transfusion of fetal cord blood cells: An improved method of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation?

Hematopoietic stem cells circulate in the fetal blood and may be isolated from the placenta through the umbilical cord after birth. These cells have been safely isolated, and transplanted into recipients to treat malignancies and marrow failure. Cord blood stem cells may be used for genetic disorders. Compared to other sources of stem cells, recipients of cord blood stem cells have fewer and less severe episodes of graft versus host disease. This may be because intrauterine graft (fetus) versus host (mother) disease is harmful to the pregnancy. Controversies persist surrounding the harvest and use of these cells.