Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
activities like sightseeing and relaxation, seem increasingly desirable
(Connell, 2006). Add to this a complex array of regulations
governing some biomedical treatments, like fertility services for
example, and another layer of motivation to travel overseas to
obtain services unavailable at home is driving the emergence of a
global healthcare market (Spar, 2005).
In the case of stem cell tourism, these issues become still more
complicated by the fact that in most developed nations in the world,
there have yet to be any proven therapies developed using human
embryonic stem cells and only a handful of adult stem cell therapies
are available. Yet there are a number of clinics advertising on the
Internet the availability of 'stem cell treatments' for a wide range of
illnesses and injuries (Lau et al., 2008). However, one review of some
of the websites of these stem cell clinics concluded that the kinds of
treatments typically offered are not supported by peer-reviewed
scientific data to demonstrate the efficacy of the therapy being sold
(Lau et al., 2008). In the sample analysed the most common
treatments advertised were injections of the patient's own
haematopoietic stem cells into their bloodstream or spine, although
plenty of other sources of stem cells were mentioned too (Lau et al.,
2008). Indications ranging from multiple sclerosis and heart disease
to hereditary disorders and autism were argued to be improved by
the treatments advertised (Lau et al., 2008).
Critics of these kinds of stem cell therapies argue that vulnerable
patients are potentially being exploited, or worse, exposed to
unacceptably high risks (Barclay, 2009). The International Society
for Stem Cell Research has produced guidelines calling for more
expert evaluation and independent oversight of the stem cell
therapies that are advertised online (Barclay, 2009). In particular,
critics claim that the lack of verifiable data on the effectiveness of
some of the therapies advertised could ultimately result in harm to
the patient in the long term (Barclay, 2009). A recent case of a young
patient developing brain tumours after a stem cell treatment in
Russia is evidence of such potential (Barclay, 2009). Other risks
could be more immediate - like infections contracted in the injection
process or other complications resulting from the treatment itself
(Barclay, 2009).
