Therapeutic hope, spiritual distress, and the problem of stem cell tourism

Cell Stem Cell. 2013 May 2;12(5):505-7. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2013.04.010.

Abstract

Managing patients' therapeutic hope and spiritual distress-in addition to tighter regulation of commercial therapies and improved patient understanding-may offer a more comprehensive approach to reducing the overall incidence of stem cell tourism. Such patient support must occur early in the clinical relationship after appropriate assessment and discussion.

MeSH terms

  • Communication
  • Humans
  • Medical Tourism / ethics*
  • Spirituality*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / ethics*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Stem Cells / cytology*