Public vs. Private Cord Banking: Myths, Facts, and Smart Decisions
Discover the real differences between public and private cord blood banking. Learn myths vs facts to make the smartest decision for your family’s future health.
Preserving your child’s cord blood stem cells is one of the best decisions that you can make to safeguard their future health. But now comes the important question, whether to store them in a private or a public cord bank? According to research, the private banks hold a 60% share of the cord blood banking market, whereas public banks account for a 40% share.
While both types of cord banking serve different purposes and benefits, the decision is often influenced by different myths and facts. So, which one should you choose? Let’s discuss in detail.
Public vs. Private Cord Blood Banking: A Detailed Comparison
While it is critical to note that both public and private cord blood banks store umbilical cord blood for completely different reasons, there are several other differentiating factors between them:
Purpose
Preserves for public use, research, or unrelated patient transplants
Preserves only for personal or family use for future medical treatments
Ownership
The donated sample comes under the ownership of the public bank
Family retains full ownership and control over the sample
Cost
Involves an initial collection fee and annual storage charges
Availability
Available to anyone who is in need and is a perfect match
Reserved exclusively for your child and immediate family members
Chance of Usage by Donor
Very low; once donated, it can be used by any person
Allows only personal access, you can use anytime in case of a medical condition
Eligibility Criteria
Strict eligibility and health screening requirements
Fewer restrictions, as it's for personal use
Usage in Research
Frequently used for medical research and clinical trials
Not used for research until permitted by the owner.
Matching Process
The matching process is critical as the donor is unrelated to the recipient.
No matching is needed when used by the donor or the immediate family members
Storage Period
Until the unit is used or expires
Long-term storage, according to the plan purchased by the owners
Ideal For
Families who want to help others and support research
Families with a history of genetic or blood disorders, or who want to secure their child’s future health
Debunking Common Myths Related to Public and Private Cord Banking
There are several myths associated with the public and private cord banking, which create confusion, misunderstanding, and delay in decision-making. To address this problem, here we have debunked the top five myths with their facts. Let’s go through them now:
Myth 1: The chances of using cord blood are less; thus, storing it in a private bank will not justify the cost of preservation.
Fact: While the chances of using cord blood might be low today, the increasing use of cord blood in regenerative medicine for treating diseases like type-1 diabetes, parkinsons, and autism might prove a valuable investment worth every penny in the future.
Myth 2: Public cord banks sell your baby’s stem cells for profit.
Fact: Public banks are nonprofit or government-supported institutions. Hence, they do not use donated cord blood for any commercial gain. Instead, the stem cells are utilised for transplants or research.
Myth 3: I can get my cord blood back from the public bank if needed.
Fact: Once you have donated the cord blood to a public bank, you cannot reclaim it because, after donation, the authorities preserve it for public use, and it may or may not be available for your use.
Myth 4: In a private bank, the cord blood can be used only by the donor.
Fact: The cord blood stored in a private bank can be used by the donor and the immediate family members who match the genetic profile, i.e., siblings and parents. Apart from them, no other person can use the cord blood.
Myth 5: Public cord banking is free, thus better.
Fact: While public cord blood banking is usually free, it comes with conditions. Once you have donated the cord blood, you might not get it when in need. Because it is open for public use, you may not know whether it is still available or has been used by anyone in public.
Public vs. Private Cord Banking: Which is Better?
Both public and private cord blood banking are unique in terms of service, cost, and ideology. While a private bank restricts its usage for personal use, a public bank allows open usage for all. It's for you as a parent to decide whether you want to secure it for your child’s future or donate it to help anybody in need.
If you’re still confused about your decision, contact Cryoviva Life Sciences for expert guidance now.
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