Survey of Stem Cell Clinics Reveals Cause for Concern

Two coauthors of a new study discuss their findings about nearly 170 facilities in the southwestern US selling unproven therapies—and what should be done about them.

Written byJef Akst

| 4 min read

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Stem cell therapies have long been a thorn in the side of the scientific, medical, and regulatory communities because they offer unproven treatments while claiming to not be subject to oversight by the US Food and Drug Administration. A federal court ruling just last month may give the agency more power stop providers from hawking these products, but an important piece of the puzzle is understanding this dynamic marketplace.

Arizona State University (ASU) stem cell biologist David Brafman, his ASU colleague Emma Frow, who studies science policy and the governance of biotechnology, and their collaborators characterized 169 clinics currently offering stem cell treatments in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The Scientist spoke with Brafman and Frow about their findings, published today (August 1) in Stem Cell Reports.

Brafman: About four years ago, in early 2015, I decided to move my lab from UCSD ...

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Meet the Author

Jef Akst
Jef (an unusual nickname for Jennifer) got her master’s degree from Indiana University in April 2009 studying the mating behavior of seahorses. After four years of diving off the Gulf Coast of Tampa and performing behavioral experiments at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, she left research to pursue a career in science writing. As The Scientist's managing editor, Jef edited features and oversaw the production of the TS Digest and quarterly print magazine. In 2022, her feature on uterus transplantation earned first place in the trade category of the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
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