CEREBRAL PALSY NEWS
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"Untested Stem Cell Therapies Offered on Internet"
December 8, 2008
Researchers recently described nearly 20 separate Internet sites peddling "stem cell therapies" as treatments for cerebral palsy and a multitude of other medical conditions. The December 2008 issue of Cell Stem Cell gives new guidelines regarding the responsible, confirmed uses of stem cells as therapy.
Stem Cells Offered for a Profusion of Maladies
A Commentary in the online version of the issue describes a Google search by University of Alberta researchers that revealed websites hawking stem cell therapies for:
cerebral palsy
stroke
heart conditions
multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
spinal cord injury
Alzheimer's disease
allergies
cosmetic procedures
Ukraine, China Clinics, No Specifics
Websites for clinics in the Ukraine, China and elsewhere are offering stem cell treatments at their locations, at an average cost of $21,500 (which does not include the cost of transportation to and from these overseas clinics). None of the websites specified the source of the stem cells to be used.
However, stem cell-based therapies are a standard, confirmed treatment for only a few conditions such as leukemia, corneal (eye) disorders, and burns. Claims regarding the use of stem cells for other diseases such as cerebral palsy are unfounded.
Stem Cell Guidelines Offered
In response to the dangers and unpredictability of these Internet sites, a task force of stem cell experts from around the world gathered to produce guidelines regarding the issues of:
quality and safety of stem cell lines
informed consent of participants in research projects
monitoring of volunteers and patients
use of stem-cell-based therapies outside research settings
Unwanted Tissues, Tumors Possible
The senior author of the guidelines, Professor Insoo Hyun of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, explained "Most of the time, stem cell products are presenting entirely novel products that are unpredictable in humans…unlike drugs, you can't just create a batch and put them on the shelf and expect they will be the same. We need uniform quality control and manufacturing. And if they're embryonic or pluripotent stem cells, they could form unwanted tissues or tumors."
(Source: Washington Post)
Learn about valid, tested therapies for cerebral palsy — contact us to speak with an attorney who is knowledge about these treatments in your area.
