Medical travel for unproven stem-cell-based therapies is commonly referred to as stem cellⁱ tourism. Clinics worldwide over-promise the benefits of their so-called treatments and grossly downplay or ignore the risks. Such unproven therapy is without scientific rationale. Neither the efficacy of the treatments, nor the lack of serious side effects has been shown in animal models. This 'magic cure by stem cells' approach must be condemned under all circumstances.

Stem cellⁱ research holds tremendous promise for the development of new therapies for many serious human diseases. However, at the moment, clinically proven stem cell-based treatments have been established only for very few conditions, such as hematopoietic stem cellⁱ transplants for leukemia and epithelial stem cell-based treatments for burns and corneal disorders. All other stem cell applications are experimental.

About a year ago, the International Society for Stem Cell Research formed an international task force of experts in stem cells and clinical research from 13 countries to define guidelines for the responsible development of safe and effective stem cell-based therapies for patients. I co-chaired the task force with Insoo Hyun from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland. The Guidelines, which have now been released, define a ‘roadmap' for medical researchers and clinicians, outlining what needs to be accomplished to move stem cells from promising research to proven treatments for patients.