Stem Cell Fraudster - Unbelievable

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David

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A very interesting video from 60 minutes about a snake oils salesmen and stem cell research.

I'm sure you've all heard of this place, it's our "friends" from Monterrey, Mexico.

A big thanks to Bobbi Greenberg from the ALS Society of Canada for passing this along.

Please note, there may be a short advertisement at the beginning of the video.

60 Minutes, 04.18.10 - 60 Minutes - CBS News

Cheers,

David
 
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Just wanted to note that according to Shane, the doctors shown in this exposé are different from the ones he used. Both are in Monterrey, but are otherwise not connected.

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Stem cellls don't work. Period. Anybody saying they do is committing fraud. Watch the episode and listen to the real researchers.

AL.
 
Stem cellls don't work. Period. Anybody saying they do is committing fraud. Watch the episode and listen to the real researchers.

AL.

Agreed Al, Hopefully they can make them work some day. Some how...
 
They do not work YET, but it is perhaps the most promising area of treatment for neurodegenerative disorders and spinal cord injury. The science just isn't there yet. Too bad these fraudsters have to jump the gun and try to make $$ off of desperate dying people. In addition to emptying the wallets of sick folks, they are also doing a lot to damage public perception of the very important research underway in stem cell therapy.
 
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My dad did this "stem cell" treatment at huge expense - $40k per try, and I don't know how many times he tried it - at least twice. I don't know if this is the same man, my dad went to but it sounds like it. I don't think there is any point in showing this to him and his wife - they already know it didn't work - but then I wonder about suing this man and trying to recover some of their money. The report says clearly that he broke US law by committing fraud and it does not matter that the procedure was done in another country. This certainly isn't a fight that my dad and stepmom would care to concentrate on right now, but I (and my sister, who is an attorney) would be glad to take on for them. I'm curious if anyone else here has been to this doctor and has any plans to try to reclaim some of their money.
This makes me so angry because I completely understand my dad's (and any PAL's) desire to try anything that's out there, and this fraudster understands that too.
 
Didn't go, didn't have the money. Did talk to the guy over the phone for about 45 minutes while he was driving around in his car. I took exact notes, so that I could explain to my husband and his friend why this was bogus. (the friend gave us this "doctor's" info and phone number) That was several years ago. I used to be in sales. He talked in circles and never completely answered my questions and deflected my questions with questions. Well, that's an old sales trick (very old). That conversation left me feeling pretty sick, as I knew he was taking money from people that were desperate - money that could've been used for things they really needed. I kept those notes for a while and reviewed and researched the things the doc had said. None of it had any studies or proof behind it. I finally threw the notes away.

Laura - you are right - the guy has no conscience!
 
Has anyone had or heard of any positive stem cell treatment? My dad was diagnosed 4 years ago and is seriously considering the treatment. He was originally looking at Mexico but was disappointed to hear of the situations there. He is now looking into treatment in Germany. Has anyone heard of anything other than in Mexico. ALS is really starting to get the best of him. His is slow progressing but it now affects all muscles. For him he is best doing it this summer if he is going to do it at all.

Beth
 
Sorry but there are NO places yet having success with stem cells for ALS. That's the plain and simple truth.

AL.
 
Al I think there is hope for the future though. In Chicago at Northwestern University Hospital they are doing stem cell transplants for CIDP. There is a blog of a San Francisco police woman who had the transplant last Fall and is doing very well.

Laurel
PS I hope you are continuing to mend Al.
 
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Sorry but there are NO places yet having success with stem cells for ALS. That's the plain and simple truth.

AL.

That may be changing in just a few years. There are clinical trials going on now for als using stem cell treatmens. And they are legitimate trials.
 
This video was heartbreaking. I have not read enough about stem cells and ALS so I am not sure how I feel about it but I thought I saw something recently about an ALS patient involved in a clinical trial using stem cells. Hopefully it helps get some answers as to whether they work of not.
 
i agree with al on this stem cell stuff .its just awlful how there are people out there doing this stuff to people that are very vonerable.when they meet there maker im sorry for them .there are always going to be someone out there trying to make a buck
 
I know that there is a lot of controversy regarding stem cell. However, my dad has slow progressing ALS (what ever that means, right?). Things have really begun to progress. He really wants to have the stem cell work done in Germany. My family figures his condition is not going to improve without it so why not try something. I have heard that it has improved for some for 3 months (the hope would be longer for my dad since his is slow progressing). The ALS "specialist" has diagnosed him with ALS and his nuerlogist has diagnosed him with PMA because he doesnt have the quick reflex in his knee. Anyway, my sister and I are wanting to have a benefit to help with medical expenses for the trip and to remodel the bathroom to make it more accesible (he has fallen getting into the shower on more than one occassion), and as you know the many other expenses involved since insurance doesn't cover anything experimental, therfore with ALS - anything. Does anyone have any experience with starting a benefit? Any guidance would be helpful as we are uncertain how to get started.

Beth
 
Has anyone heard of the doc. in China taking the nerve cells from your nose and injecting them into the brain?
The program showed him having some limited success, just not sure how credible an option it would be.
One PALS got out of his WC and walked for the first time in five months after only two days but the one the show was folowing only saw some improvment to breathing.
Can there be to high a price tag on hope?
 
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