A Cautionary Tale of ‘Stem Cell Tourism’ - CLL Support

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A Cautionary Tale of ‘Stem Cell Tourism’

Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop Poster CURE Hero
3 Replies

“Scientists and clinicians say, ‘Don’t do this,’ ” said Dr. Jaime Imitola, a neurologist and stem cell researcher at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center who has written about the dangers of stem cell tourism. But, he said, their warnings often do not resonate.

"Stem cell tourism” is a rising Internet-based industry that aims to offer unproven procedures to patients with incurable diseases.

nytimes.com/2016/06/23/heal...

...

The scientific community needs to provide a clear and consistent message—as many are now doing—about the actual, nascent state of stem cell research. In addition, we need independent and accurate information for both the public and health professionals about the risks and limitations associated with the services provided by stem cell clinics.

And, given the uniquely influential position of high-profile athletes in this context, the scientific community should consider reaching out to professional sports teams and sport associations.

Given that they have much to gain from proven and efficacious therapies, these organizations should be encouraged to support scientific research and to counter unjustified media hype by responsibly communicating to the public what we currently know and don’t know about stem cells.

nature.com/mt/journal/v20/n...

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Cllcanada
Top Poster CURE Hero
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bronx77 profile image
bronx77

Very good point the risks involved with a stem cell transplant for a blood disorder are huge. My experience with Two family members in one year at different hospitals was one hospital spelled out all the risks including the % involed before consenting the patient . The other did not consenting the patient first and only coming clean when the Donor was in place and then down grading the % of the risks involved

AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilPartnerAdministrator

Nice chicory flower Chris - fancy making some ersatz coffee?

Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop Poster CURE Hero in reply toAussieNeil

For those that have never had the pleasure of East German 'Coffee'...

dw.com/en/muckefuck/a-6615948

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cof...

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