Untested Stem Cell Treatments: An Analysis of Australia's Current Regulatory Regime.

ABSTRACT

Stem cell therapies have emerged as a miracle cure that could treat diseases and conditions. The past decade has seen the rapid growth of private clinics in some nations, including Australia, offering stem cell treatments largely untested and unsupported by clinical trials. These putative treatments have caused adverse events, some of which were serious and even fatal. The unscrupulous businesses exploit vulnerable and desperate patients who falsely believe these unproven therapies are their only salvation to cure different illnesses and conditions. This article emphasises the importance of strict oversight to ensure that only safe stem cell products reach patients, given the largely vulnerable patient base and the magnitude of risks involved. It examines the effectiveness of Australia's regulatory environment governing stem cell therapies to restrict the advertisement of dangerous and unproven stem cell therapies and the enforceability of these measures.