FRAUD, scams, hacking, and fake news are victimizing the unsuspecting and uninformed public. The perpetrators are not limited to criminals only; there are professionals, medical clinics, even physicians on their own, who have forgotten the Hippocratic Oath they took because of the blinding flash of silver and gold. Indeed, there are snakes in every forest.
In 2010 alone, there were 33,000 health care providers who were barred from federal healthcare programs due to fraud, license revocation, convictions for felony drug crimes, patient abuse and neglect, or other issues.
One area in medicine where abuse is rampant is in the realm of stem cell therapy. Some of these morally impaired physicians and nurses market stem cell therapy for “cosmetic rejuvenation, overall strength, as a cure of arthritis and many other illnesses,” all misrepresentation of the truth and just for financial gains.
Correct information is vital to any issue, so let’s review the current data we have for stem cell therapy.
The building block, the foundation of every cell, tissue, and organ in the body is the stem cell. Stem cells are undifferentiated, with no “specific assigned task as yet.” This has been likened to a blank computer microchip that could be “programmed to perform any number of special tasks.” Subjected to proper conditions, stem cells will develop into specialized tissues and organs (heart, liver, kidneys, etc.). Also, stem cells are “self-sustaining and can replicate themselves for long periods of time.”
Scientists, working on mouse models, have discovered that stem cell therapy could SOMEDAY possibly help cure many common diseases that afflict man today. Some of these include stroke, spinal cord injury, heart diseases, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, osteoarthritis, retinal degeneration and blindness, rheumatoid arthritis, liver and kidney diseases, burns, type 1 diabetes, and muscular dystrophies. While the goal of stem cell research is unquestionably laudable, and its potential benefit to mankind tremendous, the controversy centers on its efficacy and safety today, ethical, moral, religious, legal, and social ramifications.
Basically, the grave concerns are (1) The hype and claims are too premature and untrue; (2) Where the stems cells will be harvested from (adult, fetus, or embryo); and (3) The possible misuse and abuse of this new technology.
As I have stated in my talk before the Rotary Club some time ago, this evolving science merits more randomized, double-blind, and voluminous clinical studies in various medical centers around the world before it becomes standard in medical care. It also requires a deep soul-searching introspection, and a serious, intense and thoughtful deliberation to arrive at a morally, ethically and medically sound stem cell treatment protocol that will also ensure the protection of the unborn, besides healing the sick, and at the same time preserve the dignity of humankind it seeks to serve.
With its unique characteristics, stem cells can provide the cells to replace damaged or diseased tissues with new living cells that will regenerate into healthy, young, normally functioning tissues, in the treatment of conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. as listed above, where specific parts of the organs have been damaged and rendered “non-functioning” leading to the development of the disease. Research is still ongoing. There is no scientific clinical evidence that stem cell can do any of those yet. It is still not part of the standard medical care.
Organ donation is available today but the organ supply is very limited, and the procedure is expensive, arduous and usually complicated by rejections of the transplanted organ(s). This is where stem cell therapy has a great advantage over transplantation of organs. But we are not there yet for stem cell.
Indeed, the last word is not in yet. Anyone or any clinic who claims otherwise, and offers stem cell therapy for many other diseases, is bordering on fraud and criminality. The only evidence-based clinical data showing stem-cell therapy is effective today is in the management of blood dyscrasias, leukemia, and some lymphomas, with wonderful results. These are the only diseases approved by the CDC as legal medical indications for the use of stem cell therapy.
Outside of the above accepted indication where stem cell therapy has been proven to be beneficial, there is no scientific evidence for all the other claims. And remember, stem cell therapy has potential serious complications also. Some deaths from this therapy have been reported.
In spited of this, there are some rogue physicians and clinics offering to make one look and feel younger, cure their illness, with “stem cell injections,” for a hefty fee per session, sometimes in the thousands of dollars.
The patient may not even know exactly what infusion he/she is getting. And even if the source is the person’s own blood serum, centrifuged and processed, there is still no clinical evidence that the therapy works, except for those indications listed above. Anything else is a scam.
So, if you are being offered this “miracle stem cell treatment” to improve your looks or cure your arthritis, diabetes, etc., or make you healthier for “only a thousand bucks,” give me a call. I can sell you an 8-oz bottle of snake oil for only $80, free shipment. This oil could also double as skin moisturizer and laxative. Better than stem cells.
Let this serve as a warning against fraudulent claims about stem cell therapy, chelation therapy, any unapproved drugs or medications, including supplements and herbals, which could be toxic to your brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.
Our life and health are precious. As always: Caveat Emptor!
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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle, to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, U.S. senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, scientists, and educators. (Source: Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Amazon.com (“Where is My America?”); Email: [email protected].
