Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson announced recently that he is set to launch a company which will let families bank and store stem cells from their child's umbilical cord.

Some believe the cells may be used in the future to treat conditions such as Parkinson's disease and cancer. A handful of UK companies already offer such a service and it is thought a few thousand couples have already used stem-cell storage.

“some members of the medical profession are concerned about the ethical issues that may arise”

The service is sometimes promoted to parents through leaflets provided in GPs surgeries and antenatal clinics and also in maternity magazines.

Virgin says its service is unique because it will offer a charitable element, allowing the NHS to use some of stem cells the company stores.

Sir Richard explained: "We will take an individual's cord blood and we will divide it in two. "So, part of it will go into a national blood centre that anybody can get access to. And the other half will be put aside for the child." He said this should help particularly high risk ethnic groups who are prone to conditions that can be treated with stem cells but who may have difficulty finding well-matched cord blood.

Islamic Times spoke to Dr Muzzammal Rashid at a IVF Health Clinic in South Yorkshire, and learnt that some members of the medical profession are concerned about the ethical issues that may arise when discussing stem cell harvests with members of the ethnic community.

“The Asian community is relatively unaware of stem cell and embryonic research, even though many are affected by illnesses which the results may provide a benefit to.” he said

“As a Muslim myself, the scholars and medical professionals need to bring this issue to the forefront of debate so that we can be confident in answering patients questions according to Islamic principles, and reassure patients that they will not be compromising their religion.”

“ It’s an issue that may affect us all in the future, so we should start discussing it now, as other countries are doing in the Muslim world” said Dr Rashid.