For many, stem cell science and regenerative medicine are synonymous with hope for a future free of suffering. While progress is being made, we remain at the very early stages of clinical research with few proven stem cell treatments currently available. However, over the last decade commercial stem cell clinics in Australia and abroad have used online marketing to build an industry offering to treat patients now, despite a lack of evidence to justify such practices. In an effort to curb these exploitative practices, the Australian Government has recently announced a ban on advertising of unproven cell therapies and increased regulatory role for the Therapeutic Goods Administration. This presentation will examine the role of regulation and professional standards in providing better safeguards for consumers and the challenge of implementing these changes in the context of high community hopes, conflicting information and scientific uncertainties. Associate Professor Megan Munsie is an […]