Stem cells have the potential to cure a number of medical disorders

Only a few breakthroughs have been made in the field of biomedical sciences without controversies. Use of stem cell technology has triggered the hottest debate between scientists and the ethical groups. Ethical groups are opposing stem cell technology, particularly embryonic stem cell technology, as it involves the destruction of living human embryos.

However, new scientific breakthroughs have revealed that menstrual blood is an easy available and rich source of stem cells that are as potent as other adult cells found in other sources such as bone marrow.

Menstrual blood stem cells have the astonishing potential into several cell types in the body during the early stage of life. They serve the purpose of internal repairing and replacing of dying or dead cells. When a stem cell divides, each new cell possesses the potential either to become a specialized cell with a new function such as a brain cell, or to remain a stem cell.

As the menstrual blood has now been discovered as the source of abundant stem cells, the possibility of treating several potential medical disorders and diseases got a massive boost. During each monthly menstrual cycle, a woman shed billions of stem cells that can be easily accumulated, processed and cryo preserved to be used in several future potential cellular therapies. Self-renewing stem cells bridge the gap between the origin of the body, i.e. fertilized egg and the adult body it becomes. Vital menstrual blood stem cells that possess the potential to replenish and renew worn out, damaged as well as diseased tissues.

The research has proved the need to preserve menstrual blood, which has so far been discarded as biological, unhygienic waste, because it is a source of stem cells that could potentially be used to test new drugs. New medications can be tested on these before using them on humans for treating cellular diseases. Stem cells greatest potential is their capability of generating transplantable tissues and organs that could be used to replace below par or damaged tissue and organs. Currently, donated tissues or organs are transplanted to replace ailing or damaged organs, but the demand always outstrips supply.

Furthermore, stem cells have the potential either to cure or ameliorate a wide number of medical disorders and diseases such as acute leukemia, osteoporosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, inherited metabolic disorders, refractory anemia, Alzheimer’s diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. Medical researchers hope that one day stem cells would be used to cure even different types of currently incurable cancers.

Menstrual blood banks are being set up to allow women to store their own stem cells to insure their future health. Thus there is a convincing reason for women to store menstrual blood as their vital menstrual blood could empower them to take control of not only their own future health, but also of their first-degree relatives such as children and parents.