Open AccessPortrayal of umbilical cord blood research in the North American popular press: promise or hype?
Author(s) -
Alessandro R. Marcon,
David S. Allan,
Morgan Barber,
Blake Murdoch,
Timothy Caulfield
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
regenerative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1746-076X
pISSN - 1746-0751
DOI - 10.2217/rme-2019-0149
Subject(s) - umbilical cord , narrative , medicine , narrative review , cord blood , transplantation , mass media , advertising , intensive care medicine , surgery , business , immunology , literature , art
Aim: This study examined how umbilical cord blood (UCB) use was portrayed in the English language North American popular press. Methods: Directed content analysis was conducted on 400 articles from 2007 to 2017 containing ‘cord blood,’ published by the most read Canadian and American news sources. Results: A total of 86.3% of the articles detailed UCB treatments and therapies, the majority of which align with clinical evidence. Some articles portrayed speculative/experimental therapies as efficacious. Public and private banking initiatives received substantial attention, and were portrayed diversely. Promotional narrative messaging was evident around private banking. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate the need for continual monitoring of the media portrayals of UCB as stem cell and transplantation research develops and as clinics continue to operate.