Stem-cell option eyed by councilor
By Megan Tench, Globe Staff | February 24, 2005

As the debate continues on Beacon Hill over stem-cell research, a Boston city councilor is considering a measure to promote the controversial practice of storing the blood from umbilical cords as a source of stem cells for future medical treatments for the child, parent, or sibling.

Councilor John Tobin said he wants the city to require all Boston hospitals to tell mothers-to-be about options to store or donate umbilical cord blood, rather than discard it. Tobin pointed to the potential that cord blood holds to treat some cancers and genetic diseases, and he wants more families to know the option exists.