The unwarranted hype around stem cells

Richard_Scope

Clinics claim that expensive stem cell therapies can help patients with dementia, autism, multiple sclerosis and even cerebral palsy - and crowdfunding campaigns to pay for the treatments are increasingly common. But are the patients and the donors being misled about the benefits and the risks?


Read the complete BBC article:
The unwarranted hype around stem cells

atlas46

Hi @Richard_Scope

I have read the article and would like to make some observations.

All cells in the Central Nervous System (CNS), cannot repair themselves and there are no synthetic’s that have yet been discovered.

So anyone who even suggests that stem cell treatment can repair the CNS, is wrong.

I was involved in clinical research with the Stroke Association and confirm there is no medical research that has been published.

I would say the parents who took their daughter for treatment, have been mislead, by that hospital.

I do not know, how much you know about medical research, but there is an organisation called Cochrane, based in UK, with links across the world.

They review all medical research that has been published, they add commentary and approve the quality, this is seen as the gold standard.

This is then held in data bases on the Cochrane Library, the World Health Organisation uses over 85% of these reviews, in deciding it’s own guidance.

Importantly the Cochrane Library is open to not only to the medical professionals, but the general public.

I would advice anyone seeking stem cell treatment, to ask the doctor which proposes the treatment, to direct the patient/parents to the published research of this treatment on the Cochrane Library.

I can save time, there is none about the CNS.

Hope this helps.

Richard_Scope

Thank you for your input @atlas46. I get lots of enquiries about stem cell treatment and I think it is important that all aspects of this treatment are aired.

atlas46

Hi @Richard_Scope

Some more information, following some research.

I have checked the Cochrane Library, for published research for the treatment of CP, using stem cells.

There is none.

Also of note is UK Stem Cell Foundation, who fund research for specific conditions and they do not have CP listed for funding.

I have a dear friend who has CP and if he asked me about stem cell treatment, I would urge him to forget it.

Hope this helps.

Richard_Scope

It confirms what I have found. There are many organisations that are springing up making a profit out of hope.

forgoodnesssake

That BBC link doesn't seem to work..

Richard_Scope

I have fixed the link.