Clinics offering direct-to-consumer stem cell treatments can vary significantly in their practices and the expertise of clinicians. That is among key findings of a study published in the journal Stem Cell Reports of almost 170 stem cell businesses in six states in the U.S. Southwest. David Brafman and Emma Frow, Fulton Schools assistant professors of biomedical engineering, led the survey work. Brafman, Frow and their colleagues hope to bring more transparency to the stem cell marketplace, raise consumer awareness and provide insights to guide federal and state agencies in properly regulating the marketplace.

See Also: Google bans ads for unproven stem cell therapies, Breitbart News, September 6

More ‘Buyer Beware’ Warnings for Unregulated Stem Cell Clinics, HealthDay News report in U.S. News & World Report, DoctorsLounge and United Press International (Unregulated stem cell clinics can be dangerous, study finds), August 1

Assessing direct-to-consumer stem cell clinics, Science Daily, August 1

ASU research reviews unregulated stem cell clinics in six southwestern states, ASU NOW, August 1

Study examines direct-to-consumer stem cell clinics in 6 Southwestern states, August 1, Science Codex (Cell Press) and Global Health News Wire

Investigation Into 170 U.S. Stem Cell Clinics Finds Some Scary Trends, Gizmodo, August 2

ASU Study Describes Fragmented, Unregulated Stem Cell Businesses In Arizona, Southwest, KJZZ (NPR), August 6

Deep dive into US stem cell clinics gives reason to worry about ‘unsafe or useless treatments, Genetic Literacy Project, August 7