Legislators are hopeful about the blood bank's work as it lies outside of the current stem cell debate. Cord blood is now seen as a source of adult stem cells, and therefore does not become wrapped up in the current ethical debate. However, adult stem cells have not shown to possess as much versatility as cells from embryos.

Rep. Rachel Storch, D-St. Louis, persuaded Missouri legislators to add an additional $25,000 to the state budget to purchase another freezer for the nonprofit facility. She went further to say that Missouri is poised to play a lead role in developing uniform policies and standards for this controversy-free source of lifesaving stem cells.

St. Louis "got in on the ground floor" of the current tread in therapy development, said J. Mario Alonso, the blood bank's manager, who has been with the operation since its inception in 1996. The facility is affiliated with Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and St. Louis University.

Read more