Abstract
ObjectivesTo explore the views of lay and professional stakeholders about the donation of cord blood to public banks in England and the policies surrounding it. MethodsQualitative in-depth interviews were undertaken between April 2009 and August 2010 with 62 participants based in England who play a key role in cord blood banking and therapy. All interviews were recorded, transcribed in full, and coded and analysed thematically. ResultsParticipants claimed pregnant women had a right to know of the value of cord blood. This highlighted the flaws of the existing donation infrastructure, which was portrayed as playing a significant role in determining public health. Participants called for a right to donate cord blood to readdress the inequity in healthcare services for pregnant women and transplant recipients. Donors maintained a sense of right over their donation when they discussed cord blood donation as potentially benefiting their family as well as society. ConclusionIn order to keep receiving donated body parts, tissue and blood, there is a need to take into account the way in which donation operates within a prevalent ‘rights’ discourse.
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