title: Cord Blood Banking in the Arab World: Current Status and Future Developments.
abstract: Umbilical cord blood transplants are now used to treat numerous types of immune- and blood-related disorders and genetic diseases. Cord blood (CB) banks play an important role in these transplants by processing and storing CB units. In addition to their therapeutic potential, these banks raise ethical and regulatory questions, especially in emerging markets in the Arab world. In this article, the authors review CB banking in five countries in the region, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, selected for their different CB banking policies and initiatives. In assessing these case studies, the authors present regional trends and issues, including religious perspectives, policies, and demographic risk factors. This research suggests strong incentives for increasing the number of CB units that are collected from and available to Arab populations. In addition, the deficit in knowledge concerning public opinion and awareness in the region should be addressed to ensure educated decision-making.
authors: James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Science and Technology Policy Program, Rice University, Houston, Texas.
authors: Monica M
authors: MM
authors: Matsumoto
authors: Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Hashemite University of Jordan, Zarqa, Jordan.
authors: Rana
authors: R
authors: Dajani
authors: James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Science and Technology Policy Program, Rice University, Houston, Texas. Electronic address: krwm@rice.edu.
authors: Kirstin R W
authors: KR
authors: Matthews
mesh_terms: D018643:Arab World; D001771:Blood Banks / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics* / Q000639:trends; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000941:ethics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000941:ethics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Arab world; Cord blood banking; Education; Ethics; Regulation