Stem Cell Therapy Mexico
Mexico has become a popular tourist destination for those looking to undergo stem cell treatment for conditions that are currently not treatable in the US through such methods. Clinics have sprung up over the past few years offering cures for cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, blindness, erectile dysfunction, and a number of other medical problems. Clinics face little in the way of regulation in Mexico, prompting concerns over safety. As always, there are questions to ask before undergoing any treatment at one of these clinics, especially as the treatment price tag of several thousands dollars is not the only cost to consider. The clinics offering untested stem cell treatments in Mexico take advantage of vulnerable patients who have exhausted all other avenues, and appeal to them with what sometimes amounts to heavy-handed propaganda. Patients who are considering visiting Mexico for stem cell treatment are advised to find a qualified medial doctor (MD) who has experience using stem cells, preferably with a history of academic publication and transparency over the safety and effectiveness of the procedures carried out at their clinic.
Stem Cell Therapy Costs in Mexico
However, treatment costs are likely to be lower in Mexico, in part due to the lack of regulation, and corresponding legal costs passed on to the patient. Caution should be exercised when signing disclaimers exempting the clinic from any culpability for adverse treatment effects. Patients travelling to Mexico from the US are often not covered by their insurance if undergoing medical treatment outside of the US. They may also be disqualified from bringing a legal challenge against a clinic should anything untoward happen, by dint of the therapy having been conducted in Mexico. The proximity of the majority of the clinics to the US border does make treatment in Mexico an attractive alternative to travelling to a stem cell clinic in China, Germany, or India say. This can not only cut down the time patients must spend travelling to and from the clinic for their intiial visit and treatment, but also make it more likely that they can attend follow-up consultations and any further necessary (‘booster’) treatments. Lost earnings are, therefore, minimized for both the patient and any family members or friends travelling with them.
Consent Forms
As part of a recent panel of scientists investigating the use of stem cells in treatments for degenerative diseases, University College London’s Peter Coffey stated that “These companies do not offer licensed therapeutics, so it is something the patients themselves have to sign consent forms for” (Kelland, 2010). The expert at the Opthalmology Institute was talking explicitly about the XCell Center in Germany, and Beike Biotechnology in China, but applied the caution to all such clinics offering these unlicensed practices (Kelland, 2010). Founder of QuackWatch, MD Stephen Barrett also highlighted concerns over the possible use of bovine stem cells in clinics in Mexico, although the clinics mentioned here appear to use human placentas according to their promotional material (Barrett, 2010).
