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Equity, Utility, and the Marketplace: Emerging Ethical Issues of Umbilical Cord Blood Banking in Australia

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Abstract

Over the past decade, umbilical cord blood (UCB) has routinely been used as a source of haematopoietic stem cells for allogeneic stem cell transplants in the treatment of a range of malignant and non-malignant conditions affecting children and adults. UCB banks are a necessary part of the UCB transplant program, but their establishment has raised a number of important scientific, ethical and political issues. This paper examines the scientific and clinical evidence that has provided the basis for the establishment of UCB banks. We also discuss the major ethical issues that UCB banks raise, including ownership of cord blood, processes for obtaining consent for its collection and storage, and confidentiality. Finally, we review other concerns about commercial non-altruistic banking, including concerns about social justice, equity of access and equity of care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, University of Sydney, K25 Medical Foundation Building, Blackburn Building, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Gabrielle N. Samuel

  2. Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Ian H. Kerridge

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  1. Gabrielle N. Samuel
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  2. Ian H. Kerridge
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Correspondence to Gabrielle N. Samuel.

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Samuel, G.N., Kerridge, I.H. Equity, Utility, and the Marketplace: Emerging Ethical Issues of Umbilical Cord Blood Banking in Australia. Bioethical Inquiry 4, 57–63 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-007-9041-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-007-9041-x

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