Mothers might want a better use of their placenta instead of throwing it away or burying it under a tree. The very substance that has been keeping a baby nourished for several months in a mother’s womb now holds the possibility of sustaining another life in the form of stem cells that can be found in the placenta and baby’s umbilical cord.

Dr. Teo Cheng Peng, medical director of StemCord Philippines, said these remnants of birth, usually discarded, have been discovered to be a rich source of stem cells, which may save the child’s life, a sibling or even a stranger.

“Now, expectant parents can choose to bank the blood after delivery as a form of ‘insurance’ against a wide array of future s=diseases,” Peng told the 141st forum of the Association of AB Medical Scholars.

Heading StemCord, the only local company that has been given a license to establish a private cord blood bank, is oncologist Dr. Ang Peng Tiam, whose interest in stem cell research began with his treatment of cancer patients.

“There is no telling whether the stem cells harvested from the cord blood will ever be needed or used in some medical application in the future,” he said. “But Doctor Ang regards cord blood storage as a form of ‘biological insurance,” Peng said.

The technology available today allows for cord blood to be stored for an indefinite period. A private cord bank, like Stem Cord, stores cord blood for individuals for a fee and ownership of the sample belongs to the parents.

“Should the child need an infusion of stem cells during his life, his sample will provide an exact match,” Peng said.

Discussing the topic “Should I bank my babies cord blood,” Peng noted there have been cases overseas in which stem cells from cord blood have been used to cure cancer.

In Singapore, Peng said, there have been three reported cases of leukemia, myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow). And thalassamia major (A genetic blood disease) that have been shown positive results from being treated with cord-blood transfusion.

Umbilical cord blood transplants provide new hope for children with leukemia and genetic diseases requiring transplantation.

According to reports from the American Society of Hematology, 53 percent of pediatric patients treated with cord blood transplant at Duke University in the US are surviving.

Stem cells, Peng said, have been touted as a cure for all kinds of illnesses, from Alzheimer’s disease to diabetes. Another advantage of cord blood in the treatment of disease such as leukemia is that the antigens of cord blood need not match exactly those of the recipient as closely as bone marrow transplant.

“Stem cells are different from other cells in our bodies. The others lead lives like most people they grow up, reproduce or twice, do the same job everyday, wind down and then die,” Peng said. “Stem cells on the other hand, given the right conditions, can reproduce themselves.”

The most versatile stem cells, Peng said, are found in embryos and their existence has long been known by researchers, and these have already been put to good use.