University of Pennsylvania bioethicist Arthur Caplan has criticised those in the stem cell industry who use “intimidation” on “a group of scientists trying to speak up about the often fraudulent nature of their business.” In an editorial for MSNBC, Caplan expressed outrage at “charlatan claims” of extraordinary “cures” on the internet that spark “worries among stem cell researchers that the credibility of the entire field could be damaged.” He censured the industry, citing treatments such as Yankee star Bartolo Colón’s experimental shoulder treatment, saying they are “not anywhere close to being ready for therapeutic use.” He criticised “marketing hype” and “unfounded claims” about stem cell research and treatments.

Caplan criticised those in the industry who “bully” scientists who speak out against it, arguing:

“…one of the few reputable Internet sites that could set you straight about the knowns and unknowns and lack of oversight by anyone of this rapidly growing marginal world of medicine is no longer there. Lawyers representing some of the industry clinics -- most of which are operated in countries with weak medical oversight -- began threatening the scientists at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), a nonprofit organization, with expensive lawsuits.”

“All the ISSCR was going to do was to post information on what published evidence existed about claims of cures, which providers had medical-ethics oversight committees and which complied with regulatory agencies such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Instead, some in the industry launched a barrage of legal threats at the ISSCR which, as a small scientific organization, felt it could not afford to fight even if, in the end, they would win.”

“So, the stem cell ‘therapy’ industry -- many of whom seem more concerned with their pocketbooks than with giving patients information -- and some of whom are involved in medicine that is more voodoo than science have bullied their critics into submission. If you are sick or know someone with an incurable disease, keep this in mind when considering the real value of a trip overseas to find a miracle stem cell cure.” ~ MSNBC, Jul 18