Bank Your Menstrual Stem Cells via FedEx

[Ian David]

By Alexis Madrigal EmailNovember 06, 2007 | 1:46:39 PM

Attila Csordas' Pimm blog brings word of a new commercial service for collecting and preserving menstrual stem cells.

The process is based on as-yet-unpublished work by Dr. Amit N. Patel, a stem cell researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, that found, "the shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) during menstruation, contains millions of stem cells that have many properties and characteristics similar to those of both bone marrow and embryonic stem cells."

Ok, so you're convinced you need to use this $500 service for its possible regenerative benefits down the road. How does it work? Csordas provides a good summary:

Upon ordering, you’ll receive an attractive, discreet C’elle collection kit by FedEx delivery. Inside, you’ll find everything needed for you to collect and send your C’elle menstrual stem cells for processing and preservation, including a menstrual cup, collection tubes, prepaid FedEx airbill for return shipment to Cryo-Cell, and comprehensive instructions for use.

The new service, marketed as C'elle, comes courtesy of Cryo-Cell International, an umbilical cord blood bank that stores stem cells from your infant. They had revenue of $17.6 million in fiscal 2007, despite concerns that banking your baby's cordblood might not actually do your baby any good in the long-run (pdf). Their website claims they've served over 140,000 clients.

More:
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/11/bank-your-menst.html



"Hello, FedEx? There was a problem with my delivery..."

[cutlassmama]

1. Is that Carrie?

[Ian David]

2. Yep. n/t