The police identified a company in Moldova that collected stem cells illegally. It signed contracts with women who were to give birth. The future mothers paid €900 to €1,400 for the conservation of cells, IPN reports.
The stem cells were stored in Romania. The contracts were valid for 18 years. The women were to also pay by €88 a month for the storage of cells, inspector Corneliu Andriuta, of the National Investigations Inspectorate, said in a news conference.
The company had a license for providing medical assistance and laboratory services. It started work a year ago. A number of 77 contacts for collecting stems cells were signed last year. Several more were signed this year. According to Corneliu Andriuta, doctors of state maternity hospitals are involved in this scheme.
Igor Codreanu, director of the Transplantation Agency, said that nobody in Moldova has a license authorizing to collect stem cells. The cells are taken from the umbilical cord blood. They are used to treat different diseases, including leukemia, but their utility is not fully proven.
The company faces a fine of 60,000 to 120,000 lei.
