This blog is also available as an AUDIO CAST Photo of New York Attorney General Letitia James courtesy Wikimedia commons A now-defunct New York City for-profit stem cell clinic — Park Avenue Stem Cell — was order by court to pay $5.1 million in potential consumer restitution, penalties, and costs for fraudulently and illegally advertising … Continue reading Now-Defunct For-Profit Stem Cell Clinic Ordered to Pay $5.1 Million for Scamming Patients Through False Advertising
Stem cell tourism
Don’t believe everything you read
(PRNewsfoto/Deseret News) The Deseret News is Utah's oldest continuously published daily newspaper. It has a big readership too, with the largest Sunday circulation in the state and the second largest daily circulation. That’s why when they publish paid advertisements that look like serious news articles it can be misleading, even worse. This week the Deseret … Continue reading Don’t believe everything you read
Unproven “stem cell” therapy injuries are more common than we realized
Jaime Imitola, senior author of the paper and director of the Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center at UConn Health Here at CIRM we only fund clinical trials that meet the rigorous standards outlined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These requirements are not only necessary to properly evaluate how effective a potential treatment may be, … Continue reading Unproven “stem cell” therapy injuries are more common than we realized
When Google turns on you, you know you are in trouble
For years CIRM and others in the stem cell community (hello Paul Knoepfler) have been warning people about the dangers of going to clinics offering unproven and unapproved stem cell therapies. Recently the drum beat of people and organizations coming out in support of that stand has grown louder and louder. Mainstream media – TV … Continue reading When Google turns on you, you know you are in trouble
From bench to bedside: a Q&A with stem cell expert Jan Nolta
At CIRM we are privileged to work with many remarkable people who combine brilliance, compassion and commitment to their search for new therapies to help people in need. One of those who certainly fits that description is UC Davis' Jan Nolta. This week the UC Davis Newsroom posted a great interview with Jan. Rather than … Continue reading From bench to bedside: a Q&A with stem cell expert Jan Nolta
Clinical trials: separating the wheat from the chaff
What do you do when the supposed solution to a problem actually turns out to be a part of the problem? That’s the situation facing people who want to direct patients to scientifically sound clinical trials. Turns out the site many were going to may be directing patients to therapies that are not only not … Continue reading Clinical trials: separating the wheat from the chaff
Targeting clinics offering bogus stem cell therapies
For some years now CIRM has been raising the alarm about the growing numbers of clinics offering unproven and unapproved stem cell therapies. But we are not alone. Now a leader of the California state Assembly is taking action, trying to ensure the clinics follow the law and don’t endanger patients. Kevin Mullin is the … Continue reading Targeting clinics offering bogus stem cell therapies
Media shine a spotlight on dodgy stem cell clinics
A doctor collects fat from a patient's back as part of an experimental stem cell procedure in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Dec. 5, 2014. (Raquel Maria Dillon / Associated Press) For several years now, we have been trying to raise awareness about the risks posed by clinics offering unproven or unapproved stem cell therapies. At … Continue reading Media shine a spotlight on dodgy stem cell clinics
Peddling hope for thousands of dollars – a TV expose on one clinic offering unproven stem cell therapies
You may have seen an ad in your local paper, promoting a seminar on the “wonders” of stem cell therapies. They are becoming increasingly common all around the US. The ads talk about the ability of stem cells to heal everything from arthritis to autism. But what they don’t talk about is that they are … Continue reading Peddling hope for thousands of dollars – a TV expose on one clinic offering unproven stem cell therapies
Headline: Stem Cell Roundup: Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week.
In search of a miracle One of the toughest parts of my job is getting daily calls and emails from people desperate for a stem cell treatment or cure for themselves or a loved one and having to tell them that I don’t know of any. You can hear in their voice, read it in … Continue reading Headline: Stem Cell Roundup: Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week.
The Stem Cellar 