Ubaka Ogbogu, Assistant Professor & Katz Research Fellow in Health Law (U of A), LL.B., B.L., LL.M., S.J.D. CandidateThe Scientific and Regulatory Challenges of Stem Cell Tourism
Stem cell tourism refers to medical travel to foreign destinations for the purpose of receiving scientifically unproven and unapproved stem cell treatments. The phenomenon reflects the hype surrounding stem cells, which scientists believe will someday be used to treat diseases with no existing cures. Although very few stem cell-based treatments have been introduced into clinical care, the promise and potential of the field has led to an explosion of clinics around the world marketing stem cells as a panacea for virtually every ailment known to man. Although estimates vary, it is believed that over 10,000 patients have travelled from destinations such as the Canada, the UK, US, and Australia to receive stem cell treatments in clinics based in China, India, Germany and Mexico. Clinics and other providers of stem cell treatments have also been identified in the US.
Studies conducted by members of the U of A Faculty of Law's Health Law and Science Group have shown that clinics typically rely on internet-based "direct-to-consumer" advertising to reach clients, and that stem cell treatments offered by these clinics are not supported by peer-reviewed scientific evidence. This lack of evidence has not deterred clinics from portraying their stem cell offerings as safe and efficacious, and as delivering immense benefits with little or no risks. Treatment costs, which are paid out-of-pocket by the treatment recipient, are generally exorbitant. Although regulators in various countries have shut down clinics operating within their jurisdictions, these clinics often simply relocate to countries with more permissive or lax oversight systems.
Stem cell tourism raises a host of scientific and regulatory challenges, including questions regarding physicians' duties to patients seeking stem cell treatments abroad (professional, legal, and ethical obligations), including providing follow-up care for patients who have received these treatments (perhaps even against the physician's advice), and the potential impacts on both our publicly funded health care system and legitimate stem cell research.
These issues and many others are the subject of an upcoming philosophers' café event hosted by the U of A Faculty of Law's Health Law Institute and Health Law and Science Group. The event, which takes place on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Leva Cappuccino Bar, is open to members of the public, and will feature presentations by medical, legal and scientific experts, including Faculty of Law members Profs. Timothy Caulfield and Ubaka Ogbogu. For more details, please visit the event's Facebook page.
