Children can donate bone marrow but generally we do not use children for adults. For any stem cell transplant for adults, we collect stem cells from the donor. However for any adult needing bone marrow transplant certain number of stem cells need to be collected for transplant to be successful. Children can be used as donors under strict criteria. Usually it is only for siblings and extremely rarely under select situations can be used for adults but only if they are a full match. So a minor cannot be used to donate to a parent as they are only half match.The American academy of pediatrics believes it is ethically permissible for minors to participate as donors if 5 criteria are fulfilled. The criteria are: (1) there is no medically equivalent histocompatible adult relative who is willing and able to donate;
(2) there is a strong personal and emotionally positive relationship between the donor and recipient;
(3) there is some likelihood that the recipient will benefit from transplantation;
(4) the clinical, emotional, and psychosocial risks to the donor are minimized and are reasonable in relation to the benefits expected to accrue to the donor and to the recipient; and
(5) parental permission and, where appropriate, child assent have been obtained.
In case of prashant, Ansh cannot be used as a donor because he is a minor and only half match. He will be less of a choice than even prashant's parents since all three are half match to prashant. Plus the main fact is that there has never been strong relationship between ansh and prashant. I do not know if India has any rules like that as in US but I am sure almost all cancer doctors in india will likely not consider Ansh for donor.
Also today Stem cell collection has become much more advanced than olden times. it is not just done in an OR under anesthesia but now can be done by a line placed in someone and collect it under the effect of certain injections
I hope this makes it easier
Edited by delhigirl - 13 years ago
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