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Trading on hope

Nature Biotechnology volume 27, pages 790–792 (2009)Cite this article

Jane Qiu investigates the thriving business of selling stem cell transplants as cure-alls for debilitating diseases.

The arrests are a recent example of efforts to rein in a thriving backstreet business in which patients pay for access to experimental cell therapies of unknown efficacy or safety. India, and more recently China, issued rules intended to put limits on the clinical use of these powerful cells. According to a report by the Stem Cell Research Forum of India, the stem cell sector expects double-digit growth to $540 million by 2010. This growth is being fueled by individuals who travel great distances and empty their pocketbooks on a chance for a cure. But the problem is by no means unique to clinics in far-flung places; in fact, the number of clinics in Japan, the US and Western Europe carrying out questionable stem cell transplant operations is greater than many appreciate (Table 1).

Table 1 Centers promoting unproven stem cell treatments
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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing

    Jane Qiu

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  1. Jane Qiu
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Qiu, J. Trading on hope. Nat Biotechnol 27, 790–792 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0909-790

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0909-790

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