How far will stem cell clinics go to market their non-FDA approved “treatments” that they often claim will have miraculous results? I’ve never seen anything quite as striking as what some clinics in the Seattle area are now doing. In the past, we’ve seen clinics take researchers’ pictures, quotes, or videos to use for their […]
Seattle clinic uses FDA commish in marketing non-FDA approved stem cells Read More »
When you think of Florida, what else crosses your mind first? Orange juice? Heat and humidity? Beaches? Disney? I don’t know if this says more about me or the state, but these days I think of stem cells. Florida and California are the two biggest hotbeds of the for-profit stem cell clinic world, each with
Sentinel Takes Investigational Deep Dive into Florida Stem Cell Clinic Soup Read More »
According to The Bismarck Tribune and the AP/US News & World Report, the North Dakota Attorney General’s office is investigating a stem cell clinic in that state amid complaints. From the news articles: “The clinic has been offering stem cell injections for about a week and a half. Consumer Protection Division Director Parrell Grossman says there are
‘Very Alarmed’: North Dakota AG Investigating Stem Cell Clinic Read More »
In a nutshell, what does all of this week’s big FDA developments on stem cells and regenerative medicine mean for stem cell clinics? There’s much to be upbeat about so overall I’d say it’s good news, but I see three significant potential problems too. Dang. The good news is that the FDA seems determined to
Deconstructing FDA Mixed Bag Approach to Stem Cell Clinics Read More »
For-profit stem cell clinic secrets are bad news for patients. Stem cell clinics are in the business of making profits above all else and to make steady money they need a strong flow of patients as their paying customers for their non-FDA approved offerings. In order to keep the money pouring in, some of the
Shh! 10 stem cell clinic secrets kept from patients Read More »
Sacramento’s Nervana stem cell clinic has been selling non-FDA approved stem cell therapies to patients for a variety of conditions including arthritis, pain, and neuropathy for a while now since last year, but in my opinion there isn’t good evidence to back up using amniotic or fat stem cells for such conditions. Further, my understanding
Customers rate Nervana stem cell clinic harshly on Yelp Read More »
There is a scientist’s dilemma: should you speak out on important, sometimes controversial issues in science, where you not only can potentially have positive impact, but also risk being attacked for it? Or do you remain silent? I’ve now been blogging for more than 7 years. I’ve battled the often exploitive for-profit stem cell clinics
Scientist’s dilemma: find a public voice on big issues or stay silent? Read More »
University of Minnesota bioethicist Leigh Turner has been threatened with a lawsuit by a stem cell clinic-related business. Lawsuit threats in this arena come up every so often and as much as they are unpleasant realities, they can also reveal some important aspects of the stem cell arena. Ars Technica reported yesterday that Leigh’s recent paper
Stem cell clinic-related biz threatens researcher with lawsuit, wants retraction Read More »
Reposted from my book, Stem Cells: An Insider’s Guide.
Stem cell magic bus cartoon Read More »
Over the years I’ve been keeping my eyes open for advertising by stem cell clinics and lately the trend is big splashy ads in mainstream media including large daily newspapers such as the SacBee, the San Francisco Chronicle, and now the Seattle times (see below from today’s). These kinds of big ad buys on front or
Money talks: stem cell clinic ads mushrooming in mainstream media Read More »