Stem Cell Banks: A Miracle Cure?

Published: Oct. 9, 2011, 10:17 p.m.

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Adrian Goldberg and the team investigate the companies offering to store blood from your baby\'s umbilical cord, which they say could one day save their life.

Parents are told it\'s a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to save and store valuable stem cells that have the potential to fight a range of diseases.

But some medical experts say it\'s a waste of money.

5 live Investigates assesses the claims made by private cord blood banks and investigates the NHS hospitals signing agreements with companies to allow the practice on their premises, despite the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists saying there\'s not enough evidence to justify the practice.

Got a story? Contact the 5 live Investigates team by emailing goldberg@bbc.co.uk.

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