Stem Cell Fraud: A 60 Minutes investigation

He's right to be concerned. It would be a felony to use stem cells in an unapproved therapy or to sell them for export to the U.S. That's why we were surprised to see this on many websites: a shopping cart. We clicked on Ecklund's Stem Tech Labs cart and - with no medical or scientific credentials - we bought 20 million umbilical cord stem cells for $5,000; shipped to America.

We had the cells sent by the highest medical standard. Duke University suggested we use something called a dry shipper, cooled with liquid nitrogen. We sent the dry shipper to Stem Tech. Stem Tech sent the frozen cells to us, and we forwarded them to Joanne Kurtzberg. A computer chip inside our package, verified the cells were properly frozen all the way.

Dr. Kurtzberg analyzed the cells. For comparison, look under the microscope, healthy umbilical cord stem cells look like this. The cells we got from Stem Tech had disintegrated.

Kurtzberg: So these are the cells you purchased. And they are dying, or dead.

Pelley: We see all of these dead and disintegrating cells, and essentially cellular debris. Are there dangers of injecting that into someone?

Kurtzberg: There are huge dangers if you injected that into someone's blood or spinal fluid because all these little fragments and debris would get trapped somewhere in the blood stream and could cause a stroke, or in the brain could cause an inflammatory reaction.

Pelley: This could actually do harm?

Kurtzberg: Yes. This could do a great deal of harm.

Remember, the Sussers asked Dr. Ecklund to treat Adam in the U.S. and last winter, he got out of a van to meet Gary Susser at a Florida hotel where Ecklund planned to do the transplant.

We dug into Dr. Ecklund's background and we found things he hadn't told the Sussers. This is the document in which the state of Alabama revoked his medical license in 2005. The State Medical Commission said Dr. Ecklund admitted that he:

- Prescribed controlled substances to a patient with whom he was having sex

- Prescribed controlled substances to a patient who he knew was a drug addict

- And had sexual experiences with young female children

We also tracked down his laboratory in Ecuador, not exactly the state of the art facility claimed in his website.

The hotel room Gary Susser and Dan Ecklund headed for was set up with a number of cameras that were tucked out of sight.

Susser excused himself. Ecklund was expecting to meet Judy and Adam, the blind and paralyzed 11-year-old in whom he intended to transplant stem cells, cells from his lab that sold us dangerous biomedical junk. Instead, we came in.

Pelley: Dr. Ecklund, I'm Scott Pelley, with "60 Minutes."

Ecklund: Oh, great.

Pelley: How are you today?

Ecklund: I am--uh- surprised.

Pelley: We've been working with the Sussers on a story, and I want you to know that we're being recorded. And I wanted to ask you about the treatment that you propose for Adam. What would that be?

Ecklund: The treatment that he asked about was for stem cells. Human stem cells.

Pelley: And you think they're applicable for cerebral palsy?

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[ksonrexa]

Good story but incomplete. Honest selfless research is being conducted in other countries notably Israel. Check these out:

http://israel21c.org/health/israel-leads-world-in-stem-cell-research-papers-per-capita/

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israeli-researchers-use-stem-cells-to-repair-damaged-tissue-for-first-time-1.402452

http://www.hadassahinternational.org/page.asp?id=24

Even as we speak, a friend's son who has been suffering from ALS, and has been given 3 - 6 months to live - is undergoing trial in Israel.
And they are very hopeful.

[pixiedillycircus]

Thank you for listing the links to this information. I suffer from Primary Progressive MS and have just completed treatment for breast cancer and a double mastectomy. it has definitely taken its toll on me and I welcome good news of stem cell research to cure the MS.
May GOD hold you in the Palm of his Hand and Angels watch over you.

[FDAsuppression]

Here is the problem with your reports on stem cell treatments that focus solely on overseas quack clinics. The PhDs/Researchers you are airing on your reports as experts in the subject matter are not medical doctors. Secondly, they have a high conflict of interest defending autologous stem cell treatments as a medical procedure rather than a FDA regulated drug trial. Why, because their careers are based on research from government grants and private funding from large pharmaceutical companies. Their successes are tied to drug patents originating from University labs which mean millions of dollars in royalties from new drug discoveries. Just like the large pharmaceutical companies, the progression and advancement of a revolutionary medical procedure that can potentially replace billions of dollars in drug sales frightens them. No doubt, there is collaboration between industry and academia that his existed since the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980. I agree with them, if everything stays the same in U.S., then yes we are a long, long way of having advancements in stem cell treatments. Their advocacy and influence in the medical industry is an impetus to stymie stem cell treatments. It is all in their master plan along with the FDA. In their minds, "we are the lords and key masters, our words should be held like gospel for all to follow." In truth, it is their gravy-train that is in jeopardy, but the general public and media would not know that. Their motive is not to protect the interests of the general public - it is to protect their own self interests. I have a son that has severe CP. He was treated 2 years ago with stem cells from an overseas clinic. Guess what, he has improved significantly. However, yes, I agree - there are quack clinics. Keep in mind; if patients are not being forced to go overseas most of these clinics would not exist.

[pixiedillycircus]

You said it - The FDA and Big Pharm are controling this and the funny thing is Stem Cell Transplants with your own cells is nothing more than practicing medicine. No different than a doctor taking a pint of blood, seperating the plasma and putting it back into your body. In the stem cell case - they could remove fat cells, seperate the stem cells and return them to your body. The only thing is the FDA and Big Pharm can't make money on something you already own.

[tmboyette60]

I've always admired 60 Minutes and its programs for "telling it like it is", until now. If you gentlemen are going to make accusations, PLEASE do ALL your homework! I'm sure, not all doctors have the same agenda, but there are some that REALLY DO CARE and its not all about the money!

Umbilical Cord cells is JUST ONE stem cell therpy being offered. There are MANY types of stem cell therapies being used and that is were the MISTAKE is being made.

I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis and was getting very ill taking Embrel, which you are marketing on this site. The golfer on the commerical within your segment also has this condition. (I'm sure they make a great advertiser.) The meds were destroying my liver and kidneys. Within two years, I would be in a wheel chair myself, if I was still alive. I looked for alternative treatments and found the only 'fetus stem cell treatment' being performed was by Dr. William C. Rader. I also know you have searched to discredit him and his practice. I'm sure you can find some skeletons in every persons back ground, including your own, but there is truth to the Stem Cell treatment, as I AM PROOF! Yes, there are sceptics out there but ONE FETUS is enought material to treat more than ONE MILLION PATIENTS!

I met several of his patients with untreatable diseases like Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Leukemia and the ones I met are doing great!

Gentlemen, other counties like Germany and China have been doing these procedures for 20 years. And knowing that the pharmaceutical companies won't make any money on the procedures doesn't surprise me as why the findings will NOT be published in Medical Journals, in the US. Its a 20 minute procedure that takes an IV and a syringe. There is no matching and no side effects. As far as the FDA and blind studies; would you like for YOUR KID to get the placebo? There are plenty of patients that have had the therapy that can give the facts about the results. As far as the stem cells being alive, it because of "where" they are being collected.

I've had two different kinds of stem cell treatments. The first, from my own bone marrow, lasted only 14 months. I didn't know at the time about the different TYPES that are being offered and its obvious its easy to convince people that DON'T KNOW anything, that its ALL wrong!

You sirs, should REALLY do your research instead of throwing every Doctor under the bus for looking outside of the box or away from big corporate money. Really inquire, with an open mind!

Isn't it true that pharmaceutical companies donate huge money to politicians' for their campaigns and the government is the one whom controls the research/grants? Why not do a COMPLETE story about the good that stem cell therapy is doing and why the USA still blocks it~~ to this day. Go to Germany and find the scientist there and check out there findings and if you want someone in the US, contact Dr. William C. Rader, MD and interview HIS patients. There is over 2000! And yes, we are being treated in Mexico because we can't be treated here!

BUT PLEASE--be prepared to listen--not critize--because that sirs is what makes 60 Minutes great!

You may contact me at [e-mail] if you have any further questions.

[pixiedillycircus]

Shame on you 60 minutes, I used to respect you but as this comment states - you are wrong. It is one thing to warn people of the dangers of scam artists out there and a totally different one to take away peoples hope with in accurate information. Were you paid by Big Pharm or the FDA for your one sidded opinion?

[Lodave06]

It is important to note that there are many stem cell treatments out there that are scams. When a family member has an incurable disease we try to explore every available option for a cure.

On the bright side, there are companies like Advanced Cell Technology that are working on two U.S. FDA approved Phase I/II trials for Macular Degeneration and Stargadts Juvenile Macular Degeneration. Early Positive news may indicate that these treatments have promise since many of the patients in the trials have already shown improvement. And.....ACTC has a patent on their stems cells that are extracted without damaging embryos. So while there are many false stem cell cure claims, we must also consider the work in reputable labs and now U.S. clinical trials that will hopefully bring a cure for unmet medical needs. http://www.thechairmansblog.com/gary-rabin/2012-08/reflecting-on-our-clinical-trial-results.html

[tdunton]

I watched last nights episode and it crushed me. I remember watching the first segment regarding Steven Watters and Michael Martin with ALS. That was just before i learned that i had ALS. I am a 47yr old female with highs and lows. Trying to stay positive is very hard at times, when you hear of all these "scams", that effect people with life threatening diseases. I don't know how these people can sleep at night knowing they are giving people false hopes. FAITH, HOPE AND STRENGTH is what keeps us going. When ever i sign or log off anything, i was say "Keep Your Faith".

[crystalpalmerbull]

This makes no sense. I have Hodgkins Lymphoma and my dr's.. very mainstream here in Albany NY say that if chemo doesn't work that they will then go to a stem cell transplant and that they are effective for Hodgkins.

[snowgoddess]

This man is clearly a narcissist. Narcissists comprise 4% of the male population, and the more intelligent of them gravitate to "prestigious" occupations--including medicine. The worst of them do not last long in the US. Seeking out these people in foreign countries will spell disaster, as the lack of regulation and scrutiny allows them to victimize people in this way. They do not represent the majority of health care providers in this country most of whom are dedicated, responsible, moral people.

[T-smom]

60 Minutes should be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. This report is a very one-sided portrayal about stem cells. 60 Minutes chose to only show the shadey side of stem cell business but in the US stem cell therapy is beginning to emerge particularly out in California. Stem cell sing cord blood is being looked at for treating autism. In fact a clinical trial through the Sutter Neuroscinece clinic in Sacramento, California is now underway. After getting FDA approval, Researchers at Sutter Institute led by Dr. Michael Chez, are now recruiting children with autism for cord stem cell therapy clincal trial- the first in the country. This is very exciting for autism parents like myself. We need the US to embrace stem cell research and be more open to therapy so those seeking treament don't have to travel to South America or China to get the treatment they desire. Make it available here in the US, easier to access and the shady business and unscrupulous doctors who take advantage will not be an issue.

Here's more info about Sutter's stem cell autism research
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/21/4743150/sutter-neuroscience-institute.html

I would like to see 60 Minutes do a postive story about stem cells. Perhaps Dr. Michael Chez at the SUtter Institute would be a good person to interview since 1 in 88 American children and 1 in 54 American boys has autism. Many parents in the US who have children diagnosed with autism would be very interested in a story on this.