stem cell myths Archives

Several more reports of spinal tumors from nasal stem cell transplants

July 9, 2019 / Professor Paul Knoepfler, Ph.D. / 15 Comments

CMAJ-2019-Woodworth-et-al.-Figure-1-spinal-tumor-imaging-after-nasal-stem-cell-transplant

At least four cases of spinal tumors have now been reported following experimental nasal stem cell transplants for paralysis. There’s some risk of tumor development with just about any stem cell transplant, but risks are higher with experimental injections of unproven stem cells. Whill risks of tumor formation come along even with standard bone marrow […]

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Predatory clinics push stem cell secret society, deep state conspiracy theory

January 29, 2018 / Professor Paul Knoepfler, Ph.D. / 5 Comments

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Did you hear the one about the deep state FDA, big pharma stem cell conspiracy theory? This is the phony idea that the FDA, big pharma, and, heck, sometimes even certain academics (who could that be?) are plotting together as some kind of biomedical secret society or “deep state” to block promising stem cell therapies

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Stem cells on Snopes, wacky claims checked

October 10, 2017 / Professor Paul Knoepfler, Ph.D. / 1 Comment

Snopes said what about stem cells? A brief search of Snopes for “stem cells” produces some wacky claims about our favorite cells. They tackle some stem cell myths floating around out there that overlap somewhat with a post I did about 5 years ago on stem cell myths. I’ve listed below the search results on

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Stem cell myths: they are homologous to everything

April 20, 2016 / Professor Paul Knoepfler, Ph.D. / 10 Comments

Some stem cell clinics sometimes use questionable ideas to bypass FDA regulations and I’d go far as to say some of these are outright stem cell myths. One such argument that seems like a myth in my opinion relates to the idea of “homologous use”, which is one of the hottest issues in stem cells in the clinical arena right

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Myths about 3-person IVF mitochondrial transfer

February 10, 2015 / Professor Paul Knoepfler, Ph.D. / 11 Comments

It’s been somewhat of a helter-skelter time for the new technology often referred to as 3-person IVF or mitochondrial transfer as the UK considers whether to legalize this experimental technology for use in humans. I believe that this technology is not ready now for use in humans and for more background on why as well

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Intriguing stem cell paradoxes: from Pepsi to Pluripotency

July 12, 2012 / Professor Paul Knoepfler, Ph.D.

I love paradoxes. The great artist M.C. Escher was famous for his paradoxical drawings such as the one above. Paradoxes make people think in a whole new way about something they thought they understood. The stem cell field is full of paradoxes. Below I list my favorite ones. Some of these resonate with stem cell

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Pepsi responds to fake stem cell issue

March 17, 2012 / Professor Paul Knoepfler, Ph.D. / 6 Comments

The venerable, unbiased website, LifeNews.com, reports that Pepsi has responded to the claims that there are fetal stem cells in their beverage and/or that Pepsi uses fetal stem cells for research. Pepsi responded that there are no fetal cells in any Pepsi products and further is quoted: “Thank you for contacting us at PepsiCo. There

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Harmful cancer myths & urban legends

March 13, 2012 / Professor Paul Knoepfler, Ph.D.

Cancer invokes powerful feelings so it is not surprising that there are a lot of harmful myths and urban legends out there about it. As a cancer researcher and cancer survivor, I can see it from both the biomedical research side and the patient side. Here’s my top 10 list of myths & legends about

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SEC rules in favor of Pepsi on bogus stem cell propaganda complaint over 293 cells

March 9, 2012 / Professor Paul Knoepfler, Ph.D. / 5 Comments

What’s the deal with the Pepsi stem cell myth? Does Pepsi have stem cells or ingredients from stem cells in it? No. Does the Pepsi corporation use embryonic stem cells to make Pepsi? No. These are myths. Nonetheless, pro-life extremists have been targeting Pepsi because of these fake connections between Pepsi and stem cells as

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Myth of Perfect Stem Cell: meaning for ACT, Geron and field

May 2, 2011 / Professor Paul Knoepfler, Ph.D. / 5 Comments

There are a lot of myths in the stem cell field, some even embraced by some stem cell scientists such as the notion that teratoma are always benign. But when we start talking about translating stem cell technology into the clinic, to the bedside, it is especially important to cast aside our myths, no

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