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. If there is no chance of improvement in the patient’s condition, the 'therapy' is both unethical and scientifically and clinically unacceptable. It will not help the patient; the risks for adverse effects may be high; and it will not contribute to the development of clinically-established stem cell therapies. Even if the administration of stem cells is associated with negligible or minor risks, clinical application remains unjustified on a compassionate basis: the patient's expectations will not be met and they are very likely to suffer emotionally as a result. The solution must be to encourage governments to tighten regulations and to better educate patient-consumers.

Further information

• A Patient Handbook on Stem Cell Therapies is available on the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s website. The handbook contains information about the current state of stem cell treatments, and advice for patients and their relatives on what questions to ask clinics offering such treatments.
• More information about stem cells and their potential for treating disease is also available in EuroStemCell's FAQ section.
• An article by Sorapop Kiatpongsan and Douglas Sipp published in Science in March 2009 explores stem cell tourism in more detail: Monitoring and Regulating Offshore Stem Cell Clinics, Science 20 March 2009: Vol. 323. no. 5921, pp. 1564 – 1565
• The UK television programme Panorama is broadcasting a programme entitled, 'Stem Cells and Miracles' on 18 May 2009. This programme will follow a British family as they take their daughter to China for stem cell treatment. The Panorama website provides more information about viewing this programme.