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Guardian Weekly: International News: Royal Baby's Cord Sent to US
By Dale Fuchs, Madrid
The Guardian
Guardian Weekly
03 March 2006
The Spanish crown prince, Felipe, and Princess Letizia have sent blood from the umbilical cord of their baby for preservation in the US so that it could be used in the treatment of future illnesses.
Media reports of the couple's decision, which have not been confirmed, have reignited a debate in Spain about whether parents should have the right to store their newborn's cord blood with private companies rather than donating it for anonymous use in state-operated blood banks.
According to El Pais, the cord of the future queen Leonor was clipped minutes after her birth in October. Blood, containing stem cells that could be used to treat illnesses including leukaemia, was sent to Cord Blood Registry based in California and Arizona. "Storing your baby's lifesaving cord blood stem cells provides you with peace of mind and a powerful medical resource used to treat many severe illnesses for your child and loved ones," reads the website of the company. The cost is $1,700, plus $125 a year storage fee.
Last month Spain's health ministry stopped private companies offering similar services as they violate the principle of "fairness" in the universal healthcare system.
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