Dr. Mark Dykowski
Kalamazoo Gazette
4 February 2007

Letter

As a physician who believes in the importance of helping patients make informed decisions about their health, I applaud legislation to promote public awareness of the therapeutic benefits of cord-blood stem cells as well as the options available for preserving them.

Blood from the umbilical cord, which contains many types of stem cells, is collected easily at birth without any risk to mother or baby. Yet, of the nearly 130,000 births in Michigan each year, the cord blood of more than 90 percent of these babies is discarded as medical waste. This is a public health tragedy.

For more than 10 years, cord-blood stem cells have been used successfully to treat blood disorders, immunodeficiencies, genetic diseases and cancers. In addition, a number of clinical studies suggest that cord-blood stem cells may have potential use in treating diabetes, cardiac disease and several neurological disorders.

Parents can choose to preserve cord-blood stem cells either by donating them to one of the state's public banks or storing them privately in a family bank, which guarantees immediate access to these genetically related cells if a family member needs them for treatment.

I strongly encourage the Legislature to ensure adequate funds are made available to support this important legislation and cord-blood banking education.

By Dr. Mark D. Dykowski

Dr. Mark D. Dykowski works at the Generations OB GYN Center in Birmingham.