Rulings around the placenta after childbirth

[HASSAN]

I was forwarded some questions regarding the Islamic rulings on the placenta following childbirth.

The questions are originally from a convert sister (this will be her first child after her shahadah). I have reworded the questions and comments for clarity.

1. Is there any obligation upon the parents regarding the disposal of the placenta after delivery, or is it permissible to leave it with the hospital for disposal?

2. Is it permissible to store (freeze) stem cells extracted from the placental tissue and umbilical cord blood for potential future medical use, should the child require them later in life?

These cells may be utilised in the treatment of certain illnesses, such as cancers, and would eliminate the risk of rejection since they originate from the child.

3. Beyond the permissibility of storage, would the subsequent use of these stem cells for treatment also be permissible?

As the nature of such treatments may vary depending on the condition, it is not known whether this would involve duplication of the cells or their development into specific organs.

 

[AbdalQadir]

not an attempt at answering. just building on and clarifying.

1. Is there any obligation upon the parents regarding the disposal of the placenta after delivery, or is it permissible to leave it with the hospital for disposal?

very interesting. i wonder what/how our grandparents would have done back in the day of home deliveries. permissible or not, i don't think the thought even crosses the minds of folks in our times who just assume the hospitals will take care of all of this.

2. Is it permissible to store (freeze) stem cells extracted from the placental tissue and umbilical cord blood for potential future medical use, should the child require them later in life?

what would you or the mother in question perceive to be a deterrent to this? i mean i see no reason why something (even a blood sample or something najis) can't be stored in a designated storage facility for some future usage, whatever that might be.

3. Beyond the permissibility of storage, would the subsequent use of these stem cells for treatment also be permissible?

As the nature of such treatments may vary depending on the condition, it is not known whether this would involve duplication of the cells or their development into specific organs.

me and my wife were offered the same option at the birth of our first-born. i decided to pass based solely on the costs to us and my situation at the time. also i don't remember what the logistical clauses in the contract mentioned then. let's say you take this service and 5 years down the line you move to a different country. how would these stem cells be transported to your new location from where ever they're being stored.

you can opt for stem-cell based treatment later on too - but apparently the placenta from birth is the most super duper optimum source (per the marketing literature i saw at the time)

the question would remain - is stem cell based therapy and treatment permissible or not and what are the nuances?
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umbilical cord & blood storage -

https://www.viacord.com/
https://www.americordblood.com/

you can see more info on regular stem cell treatment (people who never saved their placentas, or were born before this technology was available) - these guys based in delhi seem quite knowledgeable in what they're doing:

https://www.advancells.com/