Ethical and medicolegal aspects of the collection and conservation of stem cells from umbilical cord blood

Umbilical cord blood offers a precious source of multiple-application stem cells that are easily obtained without invasive interventions or the ethical problems inherent in harvesting them from embryos. To date, the therapeutic potential of umbilical cord stem cells has only been demonstrated for blood cells. In Italy, personalized umbilical cord blood banks for newborns have been conceived, but currently only those abroad may be used. In several countries, systems of research and umbilical cord blood cryoconservation have been established, especially in private structures. In Italy, private management of umbilical cord blood is prohibited; banks can only be activated in public structures, in order to safeguard related ethical and deontological concerns and to promote a culture of donation, develop a network of umbilical cord blood, and increase research evaluating the real therapeutic potential of these cells.