Stem-Cell Clinics in the UK: A Web-Based Study
November 2021
in “
Regenerative Medicine
”
TLDR UK stem-cell clinics often mislead about treatment safety and effectiveness, needing better regulation.
The study investigates the web-based promotion of stem cell treatments by 19 UK clinics, revealing significant ethical concerns due to misleading information about the risks and effectiveness of treatments. It found that 79% of these clinics use optimistic language and celebrity endorsements without scientific backing, often failing to disclose potential side effects and the experimental nature of treatments. The study highlights the prevalence of unproven stem cell therapies, including those for alopecia, and emphasizes the need for better regulation and consumer protection to ensure patient safety and accurate information dissemination.