Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
10:16
Assessing Stem Cell DNA Integrity for Cardiac Cell Therapy
Published on: January 25, 2019
Selling Stem Cells in the USA: Assessing the Direct-to-Consumer Industry
Leigh Turner1, Paul Knoepfler2
1Center for Bioethics, School of Public Health, and College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Cell Stem Cell
|July 5, 2016
Summary
Direct-to-consumer marketing of unapproved stem cell therapies is prevalent, even from US-based companies. Regulatory oversight is needed to address this growing market for unproven medical treatments.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Medical Marketing
- Regulatory Science
Background:
- Direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing of unapproved stem cell interventions is a global issue.
- This marketing often targets vulnerable populations seeking novel treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the extent of Internet-based marketing for unapproved stem cell interventions.
- To identify the origin of businesses promoting these unproven therapies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of online advertisements and company websites.
- Keyword searches for stem cell treatments and related terms.
- Geographic identification of marketing entities.
Main Results:
- Widespread promotion of unapproved stem cell interventions was found.
- A significant number of these businesses are based in the United States.
- Marketing claims often lack scientific substantiation.
Conclusions:
- The US marketplace is a notable source of DTC marketing for unapproved stem cell therapies.
- Existing regulatory frameworks may be insufficient to control this commercial activity.
- Enhanced oversight by regulatory agencies is crucial to protect public health.
Related Concept Videos
01:33Adult Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously renew...
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
01:17Stem Cell Culture
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
00:57Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Somatic cells are...