Stem cell for rich babies.

SINGAPORE : CordLife has opened Southeast Asia's largest cord blood bank in Singapore.
CNA 10 April 2008

Located at the Singapore Science Park, the new facility boasts bigger laboratories and features the latest technology dealing with cord blood processing and storage.

A cord blood bank is a facility which stores umbilical cord blood for future use.

As of April 2008, over 13,000 families have signed up with CordLife, which expects to give better service with its bigger labs.

The company has also launched its "CordLife Cares" programme to provide needy families the option of private cord blood banking and access to stem cells without the waiting time and high cost.

The programme is open to residents delivering their babies in Singapore, but they must first meet the selection criteria. "

(Firstly), a combined family income of not more than S$2,000, and secondly, the ability to demonstrate that there is a medical need," said Steven Fang, Group CEO, CordLife. - CNA /ls


Singapore are offering its citizen a facilities to store cord blood, the catch is ,only if you can afford it.

According to Wikipedia :

“Public cord blood banking is strongly supported by the medical community. However, private cord blood banking is generally not recommended unless there is a family history of specific genetic diseases. Private banking is unlawful in France and Italy, and opposed by the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies.”

I totally agreed with the law in France and Italy.

No doubt that cord blood are important and I think the Singapore government should set up a good public cord blood bank which will use to treat whoever who need it.

Rich or poor, all should benefit.

Instead our government are encouraging companies to set up private cord blood banking here.

No doubt is to earn money.

ColdLife is trying to convince themselves that they are doing some sort of community services by launching its “CordLift Cares” program to help the needy.

The catch is your whole family must earn less then $2000 and you still must show them you are sick.

So those familes who earn $2001 or $2500 per month you can go fly kites of you can PAY Cordlife to store your babies cord blood for you.

“CordLife offers different payment plans to better meet the needs of expectant parents:

One time payment of $1,400* upon registration. Annual storage fee of $250 (payable from 2nd year onwards)”

Yet another reason why the rich are living longer then the poor in Singapore. Sad.