Fraudsters affect gains in stem cell research

Fake claims could cause loss of public trust: Experts

KANIZA GARARI I DC HYDERABAD, OCT 29 According to a review conducted by a group of scientists assembled by the Lancet Commission, the future of stem cell science is threatened by a loss of public trust and a failure to conduct highquality research. With unscrupulous clinics offering unverified stemcell therapies, it is becoming difficult to propagate stem cell science to the general public. In such a scenario, testimonies from celebrities only add to the problem.

The review, whose purpose is to understand the progress being made and the challenges faced in the field of stem cell research, has revealed that the science has become a victim of its own hype. The public is losing faith in it after being administered ineffective therapies.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the use of stem cells has so far been proven effective in bone marrow transfusions, some eye treatments, and the preparation of skin grafts for burn victims. There are no clinically approved treatments for diseases such as autism, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Studies into these diseases are still in the research stage.

Desperate patients and families often visit poorly-regulated clinics where they are administered treatments that are not clinically proven or acceptable, that too at a high cost. This has led to a loss of faith that is bound to have a detrimental effect on stem cell research.

The US Food and Drug Administration allows a patient’s own cells to be regenerated for use in treatment. The use of the cells of another person is not permitted as it can lead to the development of uncontrolled, cancerous growths. It has been noted that contrary to popular belief, stem cells do not help in the recovery of diseased organs.

There is a need for clinics offering stem cell treatments to be regulated by government to ensure that only clinically approved therapies are administered to patients. Patient data must be rigorously maintained by the clinics as well as the health ministry so that follow-up examinations may be conducted every few years to check for the development of any rare side-effects.

In the absence of such regulation, backlash from the public is likely to harm stem cell science. People should also be made aware of the therapies that have been clinically proven. Meanwhile, critical evaluation and scientific brainstorming are required to improve the quality of research and develop different models of treatment.