Yesterday afternoon, the front stoop on every house on my block was tagged by a bright neon piece of paper tucked into the railings. Pulling out mine, I was greeted with the message "What have your STEM CELLS done for you lately?"

That was just the beginning. "Why not have your own ADULT STEM CELLS work to enhance your health?" The product is "a concentrated natural aquabotanical extract that 'wakes up' our body's stem cells and puts them to work!"

For just $59.95, the stem cell enhancer boosts the "natural role of adult stem cells." Two capsules "support the release of stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. Through a natural process, those stem cells then travel to areas of the body where they are most needed."

The flyer, of course, also contained two phone numbers and a Web site where people can find out more information (which I am declining to provide, to minimize any publicity).

Does this kind of thing hurt the field? Click here to take our poll on public perception of stem cells.