Stem cell treatment of a patient with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can only be performed in a specialized hospital with all-round support in the intensive care unit for legal, medical, and ethical reasons. If such a patient wishes to undergo stem cell therapy, he/she is facing challenges: The patient has to travel to a country where this therapy is generally allowed and there find a hospital where the therapy can be carried out.
The mentioned legal restrictions were allegedly made for “patient safety” reasons; in fact they were – as other standards and restrictions in the EU (light bulbs, vacuum cleaners, etc.) – made on request of lobbyists for the relevant industry. The industry wanted to establish a monopoly on (patented) stem cell drug, which are currently in the planning stages. It’s more about financial interests than about the safety of patients.
What doctors and affected patients think about that? What do you think? Tell me your opinion!
DDr. Heinrich, MD