This sounds too good to be true, but the Wall Street Journal is usually pretty reliable information.


http://www.marketwatch.com/story/int...k=MW_news_stmp


Excerpts:
The study just published in the June 3 New England Journal of Medicine reports beneficial results from deep brain stimulation (DBS), an extreme and invasive surgical procedure which until now has been one of the most effective weapons in the war on the disease. However, International Stem Cell Institute (ISCI), a leading US based organization in stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine, believes Parkinson's symptoms can be alleviated -- almost to the point of full restoration -- using placenta stem cells. Administering these stem cells, an easy and painless treatment, avoids the risks and costs of surgery. And unlike the wait for future drugs and clinical trials, stem cell treatment for Parkinson's is not years off in the future but available to Parkinson's sufferers right now.
* * *
"At ISCI we've successfully treated over 3,000 patients with many serious chronic diseases and we're putting a huge focus on helping Parkinson's patients. Our procedure represents a dramatic new advance in treating the disease, we're seeing outstanding improved functions in advanced patients who can't be satisfactorily controlled with drugs or high risk surgery," says Anderson. The therapeutic results from placental adult stem cell therapy is clearly effective at relieving the symptoms, and can provide a better quality of life for those in moderate to severe stages of the disease. ISCI is currently offering Parkinson's patients the opportunity to undergo these innovative, less painful and less invasive medical treatments at a reasonable cost compared to brain surgery. "The families and individuals we work with are reporting truly amazing results," Anderson maintains. "Some patients show amazing recovery from the nonstop shaking, regaining their balance and fluidity of motion. Their overall color is better and in some cases full range of movement is being restored." Remarkably patients are recovering their ability to speak, to use handwriting and utensils, and showing decreasing problems with incontinence, swallowing and drooling

Hi Peg, thanks for the excerpt. The link does not access the article. Could you post it, please? thanks madelyn

Here is the link t o thhe site who made the claim: http://www.istemcelli.com/index.html

Early this morning before my fingers would work, I received the following from Linda Herman: (if you ever need to check something out, ask Linda!)

This is a press release pretending to be a scientific article.

the name of the organization -- International Stem Cell Institute is similar to the International Society for Stem Cell Research, a well known scientific organization that advocated for stem cell research. Alsoi i think designed to mislead, There is a counter article here

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-...nclick_check=1

"Stem cell scientists warn against fraudulent treatments


Read the disclaimer at the end of the press release

"Disclaimer: Stem Cell Therapies offered for consideration by International Stem Cell Institute are not currently approved by the FDA and the treatments and procedures mentioned take place outside the USA.
Stem Cell Treatments are not a cure for any condition, disease or injury, nor a substitute for proper medical diagnosis and care. The information contained in this press release and ISCI's written materials should not be considered medical advice. It is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only.

THANKS, Linda! Just goes to show you that everything you read on the web isn't always authentic.

Peg

Thanks, Peg. I accessed the "institute's" web site and noted their location "just across the border from McAllen. Texas" as in Mexico, out of the reach of FDA requirements. madelyn

The more I think about t his, the more upset I get. Can you imagine the people who have been taken advantage of on this deal? They even have financing available:

One Application, Multiple Loan Options
Loan amounts from $1,000 to $50,000
Rates as low as 3.99%*
12 Month Interest Free Loans*
No Pre-payment Penalty*

But the real point I want to make is how corporate America is using social media to make a buck (and LOTS of them!)

Anybody can use this Marketwire website and make about any claim they want:
http://www.marketwire.com/

Note the name is so close to "Marketwatch," a reputable site. In fact, Marketwire somehow superimposes itself over a Marketwatch page, making it appear more authentic.

Is there anything we can/should do as patient advocates to draw attention to this hype? (I cannot take on another prooject right now, but some of you sure could do a good job).
Peggy