Hi Laur,
I have spoken with Stephen Byer on and off over the past few years. My impression is that he is honest and well intentioned. I also think he is credulous and he lost a lot of credibility in the ALS community when he continued to act as the North American contact for Dr Hongyun Huang in the coordination and scheduling of OEC (olfactory ensheathing cell). This doctor is still in Beijing and injecting the cells into all manner of PALS with no followup and no evidence of efficacy. Some PALS have died shortly after the operation, apparently from complications. Steve also acts as an agent for a Chinese doctor (Dr. Xia) selling BuNaoGao (BNG). I had signed up with Steve and was scheduled to go to Beijing for the operation but fortunately monitored the situation and cancelled at the last minute. I also considered BNG but, in the absence of any evidence of its efficacy, have chosen not to take it. Steve said some years ago the BNG had stopped progression in his son Ben. Clearly it has not.