Their concern is that the internet has opened the door for worldwide access to stem cell treatments which are both unproven and unrealistic. The positive outcomes of some stem cell treatments that have been published in the press has led to an increased interest in the use of stem cell treatments by patients. However, that interest is too often being used to lure a worldwide audience into treatments which will lead to more harm than good for vulnerable patients.
The concern comes from a wish to protect the stem cell industry from unfulfilled promises and the resultant disappointment by patients, which will ultimately damage a sector that has the potential to bring real change to patients across the world.
The idea of more regulation, in an already highly regulated sector, will not go down easily with all those involved in the utilisation and exploitation of stem cell treatments. However, what every organisation in the healthcare and pharma industries understands and supports is patient safety. If unproven stem cell treatments are at risk of causing reputational damage to the industry as a result of vulnerable patients being hurt or harmed, regulation will follow, and so your organisation had better be prepared and ready to watch this space.