Authors:
Leigh G. Turner, PhD
Summary:
Clinics advertising adipose-derived autologous stem cell “treatments” are rapidly spreading across the United States. Some of these businesses promote cosmetic procedures such as “stem cell facelifts” and “stem cell breast augmentation.” Other facilities market adipose-derived stem cell “therapies” for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer disease, muscular dystrophy, and other diseases and injuries. Once regarded as a country that residents had to leave if they wished to access unproven and unlicensed stem cell interventions, the United States now has many businesses that promote procedures more commonly associated with “stem cell tourism” to clinics and hospitals in China, India, Mexico, Panama, Ukraine, and other destinations.
Source:
Mayo Clinic Proceedings; Vol. 90, Issue 5, 567-571 (05/2015)