Stem Cell Tourism and International Trade of Unapproved Stem Cell Interventions

Abstract

Nowadays, stem cell treatments for different medical situations are generally advertisedthrough websites of different global hospitals and clinics. However, most stem cell treatmentsare clinically unapproved. This paper describes different features of the international trade ofstem cell tourism, including the locality, risks and environmental regulations. Stem celltourism is considered to be a subset of a far broader industry of stem cell interventions, whichmay be suitable in extraordinary conditions where the number of patients is small. However,the extensive trade and application of stem cell treatment in different countries does not givethe affirmation of health gains to qualify as treatment and producing regulatory problems forthe development of effective stem cell treatments and patient care. The governments shouldprovide sufficient funding by supervising the public research programs and formulate newgovernance structures for coercive transnational activities related to international trade ofunapproved stem cell interventions.