Umbilical Cord Cells May Help Diabetics

Filed in archive Research on April 5, 2006

You may have seen the flurry of commercials recently, urging you to save your baby's umbilical cord to help fight future illnesses.

The cells lining the cord are reputed to help fight cancer,immune deficiencies, and to aid in would healing. Researchers are now discovering one more potential use for the cells: helping to treat diabetes.

Excitement is palpable in the scientific community, which points out that unlike other stem cell research, this should pose no controversy as the cord is considered 'waste' following a birth and would otherwise be disposed of, and is acquired through a 'natural' process.

Scientists have already made tremendous progress in the area of wound healing, which is of course a major concern for diabetics:

The Cord Lining Stem Cells thus allowed direct wound healing without the need for skin to be taken from elsewhere, meaning, for the patient, less pain and scarring.

Learn more about this exciting new development here.