Parents win Rs 2.16 lakh after company throws away newborn's cord blood sample
A consumer commission in Punjab has ordered Cordlife Sciences India to pay a couple Rs 2.16 lakh after the company discarded their newborn's umbilical cord blood sample due to a payment dispute. The commission ruled the company acted unfairly by failing to provide notice before destroying the biological material.
Why it matters
This case highlights consumer rights in the growing private stem cell banking industry and the need for clear contractual communication.
NEW DELHI: A Punjab district consumer commission, in an order dated July 14, directed Cordlife Sciences India to pay over Rs 2.16 lakh to a couple after it discarded their newborn's umbilical cord blood sample over delay in payment. The commission said the company acted unfairly because the couple had never refused to pay and were not given a chance to make the payment before the sample was discarded.Why was the newborn's cord blood sample thrown away?According to the commission's order, the couple approached Cordlife Sciences India during the wife's pregnancy to preserve their unborn child's umbilical cord blood and stem cells for future medical use. They paid an initial amount of Rs 6,490, signed the required agreement and were told that the company would collect the sample immediately after delivery.
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