A New Way to Collect Stem Cells?

Stem cell research - it's a term most of us are (at least somewhat) familiar with. In fact, many people are opposed to stem cell research based on the fact that in some cases human embryos are created (and ultimately destroyed) for the specific purpose of extracting stem cells.

Scientists have been working on finding new ways to collect stem cells without having to use human embryos. Maybe you've heard of using a newborn's cord blood for stem cells? There are even cord blood banks that will preserve your babies' cord blood (for a fee, of course). There is also the option of using bone marrow, which I've heard is a painful (and most likely expensive)process.

I just read about a new option for retrieving (and storing) your own stem cells. There is a company in Florida, called C'elle (pronounced C-L) that says it can store stem cells extracted from a woman's menstrual blood. Yep, that's right, your period may not be a total waste after all!

The following is a press release from C'elle:

Taking Control: Future Therapies for a Host of Serious Diseases May Be Found in Women's Menstrual Blood

July 07, 2008: 01:28 PM EST

OLDSMAR, Fla., July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

With today’s hectic lifestyle, where most women are juggling careers, family, relationships, and a host of activities, the idea of possibly facing a serious illness in the future is not something that readily comes to mind -- especially when a woman is in the prime of her life. But what most women don’t know, is that the key to treating a number of possibly life-threatening diseases that she, a parent, a sibling or even her children may face in later years, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, may be found within her own body -- in vital stem cells, which can now be harvested from her own menstrual blood.

Now, thanks to the revolutionary research and technology of C’elle, a service dedicated to providing women with a safe and easy method of collecting and preserving stem cells found in her menstrual fluid each month, even the busiest woman can take control of her future, right in the privacy of her own home. With C’elle’s non-invasive collection process, menstrual cells are processed and cryo-preserved (stored at a very low temperature) for potential cellular therapies that may be used in the future. These self-renewing cells one day may even be used for sports medicine or cosmeceutical treatments, such as anti-aging therapies.

"C’elle enables and empowers a woman to take control of her future health, and possibly of those genetically closest to her, in a fast, painless and stress free way," said Michelle Kay, Marketing and Sales Manager for C’elle. "We live in exciting times, as science and technology are discovering how extremely valuable menstrual blood stem cells really are, and the enormous treatment potential they represent for future therapies. C’elle’s ongoing research is supporting these promising findings."

For more information about C’elle, please call 1-877-892-3553 or visit http://www.celle.com/

To think that it's possible to be able to do stem cell research using something that most of us see as an inconvenience each month is pretty awesome, in my opinion. The storage of the cells is not cheap initially, but the yearly fees after the first year aren't really that bad. This is definitely something to keep an eye on!

You can learn more by clicking here: CNNMoney

Of course, as with anything related to your health and your body, you should consult your doctor if you have any questions!!!