Manila, Philippines The Department of Health (DoH) warned yesterday against the proliferation of commercial establishments offering stem cell treatment for medical or aesthetic purposes.

DoH Secretary Enrique T. Ona said the use and effects of stem cell therapy is still being investigated by doctors while the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has yet to release the standards and regulations governing the safety of its use. Although this technology holds promise, stem cell therapy is not yet part of standard of care and is considered an investigative procedure for compassionate use. Applications of stem cells for the treatment of malignancies, blood disorders, degenerative diseases (such as Alzheimers Disease), metabolic diseases (e.g. diabetes), and immune cell therapy are still under clinical evaluation and study, Ona said in a statement.

While research has shown that adult stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells are the safest and most ethical, the public is warned that claims of preventive and curative bene ts of stem cell therapy are still on their investigative stage. Thus, the Department of Health (DoH) advises the public to be cautious with stem cell therapies being promoted in the media or through word of mouth, he added.

The DoH noted that there is an increasing demand for the use of stem cells in cancer therapy, endorgan diseases, and regenerative medicine.

But until a conclusive study has been completed, health of cials said the public is strongly advised to avoid stem cell therapies which use the following as sources for stem cells: Embryonic stem cells, aborted fetuses, and geneticallyaltered and animal fresh cells.

The DoH will soon issue guidelines for the use of stem cell therapy and the process of giving license to facilities offering such services, Ona noted. (Jenny F. Manongdo)

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DoH warns on stem cell