Singapore stem cell bank scandal gives parents in Hong Kong, Philippines, India the jitters
- Cordlife Group Ltd., a major operator of cord blood banks across Asia, irreparably damaged thousands of children’s samples through improper handling
- The ongoing Singapore case has implications across the region, renewing concerns over a largely untested industry marketing itself to anxious parents
The parents paid for years to have their infants’ cord blood stored, with the understanding that the stem cells they contained may provide life-saving protection if their children subsequently fell ill. They have formed a group to evaluate potential legal action. Some rejected Singapore-based Cordlife’s proposal to refund the fees for samples deemed to be damaged, saying it was inadequate.
The company has “little regard and no remorse for losing something so precious”, said one parent, who was offered about S$5,000 (US$3,700). Any penalty meted out by Singapore’s Ministry of Health must serve as a warning to all cord-blood bank providers, they said, asking to remain anonymous to protect the family’s privacy.
The agency found about 2,200 units of cord blood in one holding tank were damaged, and an estimated 5,300 units in another tank plus a dry shipper were “non-viable”, The cause was insufficient levels of liquid nitrogen in the tanks and inadequate monitoring of the dry shipper, which led to temperatures rising above acceptable levels several times since November 2020.
Cordlife lodged a police report accusing “mostly former” staff members of potential wrongdoing in connection with the defects on April 17. Its former CEO and five board members were arrested earlier this year for alleged breaches of disclosure obligations, according to company fillings. Three other board members, including those who filed the police report, postponed their own interviews with authorities.
