promises of stem cells

Stem Cell Therapy and Robitussin: Don’t Get Duped

Thoughts on Stem Cells and Robitussin: When a new medicine or product offers great hope, it also attracts attention from the dark, shadowy places of society. This is the case, to a degree, with stem cell research. While showing success and promise in areas like treating certain blood and auto immune diseases, the internet is now full of dubious healing power of stem cells.

After a recent google search for “stem cell therapy” revealed treatments for baldness, or larger breasts, I couldn’t help but think of Chris Rock‘s famous routine where he lauded the miraculous benefits of Robitussin while growing up:

 “Daddy, I got asthma… Robitussin”

“I got cancer… Robitussin!”

I broke my leg, Daddy poured Robitussin on it.

“Yeah, boy, let that ‘Tussin get in there… Let that Tussin get on down to the bone! The ‘Tussin ought to straighten out the bone, it’s good!”

Although I’m making light of these empty promises, the sad truth is that these irresponsible promises can actually lead to loss of more than just money. You don’t have to look far to hear stories of people who went to Asia to be treated with stem cells for something like ALS, only to die months later.

Any responsible search for the miraculous healing power of stem cells, should also be accompanied by validation from clinical trials, or data from trusted sources like the Mayo Clinic, or Web MD.

So, what’s the lesson here? While Robitussin does treat a cough, it won’t help with your sprained ankle.

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