Public warned vs stem cell treatment

MANILA -- Amid the increasing popularity of stem cell treatment, the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday reminded the public that it is not yet an adopted standard way of treatment.

In a statement, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that while there could indeed be positive results coming out of stem cell therapies, it remains under clinical evaluation.

"Although this technology holds promise, stem cell therapy is not yet part of standard of care and is considered an investigative procedure for compassionate use," said Ona.

"Thus, the DOH advises the public to be cautious with stem cell therapies being promoted in the media or through word of mouth," he said.

Also, Ona said the public is strongly advised to avoid stem cell therapies that use embryonic stem cells, aborted fetuses, genetically-altered, and animal fresh cells as sources for stem cells.

Stem cell therapy is a type of intervention strategy that introduces new adult stem cells into damaged tissue in order to treat disease or injury.

Some medical researchers even predict that stem cell treatments will soon be able to deal with cancer, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Celiac Disease, cardiac failure, muscle damage, neurological disorders, among others.

In the Philippines, the DOH noted that there is an observed proliferation of "centers" offering stem cell treatments for medical and aesthetic purposes.

Instead, the health chief advised the public to first wait for the guidelines for the use of stem cell therapy and the process of licensing facilities offering such services that it will be issuing.

"The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the DOH are currently drafting standards and regulations to ensure the safety of the public as well as address ethical concerns regarding the use of stem cells in research and medicine," said Ona. (HDT/Sunnex)