21st Century Snake Oil

(CBS)  Con men used to travel town to town hawking medical remedies said to be made of Chinese snakes. Snake oil was useless and dangerous. So the FDA was created to put a stop to it and other food and drug scams.

But, today, quack medicine has never been bigger. In the 21st century, snake oil has been replaced by bogus therapies using stem cells. Stem cells may offer cures one day, but medical charlatans on the Internet are making outrageous claims that they can reverse the incurable, from autism to multiple sclerosis to every kind of cancer.

Desperate people are being bilked out of their life's savings.

We've been looking into this surging crime and we found there is no better window on how it works than the practice of a man who calls himself "doctor," a man named Lawrence Stowe.

Stowe has been unaware that, lately, some of his patients have been working with 60 Minutes.

Full Segment: 21st Century Snake Oil Part 1
Full Segment: 21st Century Snake Oil Part 2
Web Extra: The Promise of Stem Cell Treatment
Web Extra: A Warning About Stem Cell Fraud
Web Extra: Living with Lou Gehrig's Disease

One of those patients is Steven Watters, a college administrator in Lufkin, Texas, who, six months ago, received maybe the worst diagnosis imaginable: he has ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

About 30,000 Americans have ALS at any given time. And like Watters, they all will die, most within five years, as their nervous system gradually disconnects from their muscles.

"Everything just takes a little longer. I just set things up to where it requires minimal, manual effort," Watters told correspondent Scott Pelley. "Just handling personal hygiene is difficult - teeth brushing, flossing, very difficult, time consuming. So you just make the adaptations that you can and go on."

Eventually Watters will be able to move nothing but his eyes.

The same fate is ahead of Michael Martin who also has ALS. Martin has nearly lost any ability to speak, and very soon he won't be able to walk.

"I wonder what it was that your regular doctor back home told you about your disease and what your prospects were?" Pelley asked Martin.

"He said I had about two years," he replied.

No patient has ever been cured of ALS, and no patient has ever seen the symptoms reversed, even temporarily. But, still, desperate people find themselves drawn to a place that promotes the impossible: Stowe Biotherapy in La Mesa, Calif., near San Diego, which bills itself as a "medical oasis."

We asked a multiple sclerosis patient to go in with a hidden camera to hear Larry Stowe's pitch for his miracle treatment.

Stowe told our MS patient that he can reverse her disease with his program of herbs and vitamins to boost the immune system, custom vaccines and stem cell injections. Medical experts say it's nonsense but it's the same pitch that we secretly recorded again and again as Stowe claimed to reverse cancer, ALS, MS, Parkinson's disease and more.

"We're the only ones who's been able to get any body that's down here back up to here, and they stay back up to here. If we were a major pharmaceutical drug company, you know, we'd be talking about all of our research associating getting Nobel Prizes in medicine and things of that nature," Stowe said.

Larry Stowe is not a medical doctor. He claims two PhDs, but we found he only has one in chemical engineering. He had a career at Mobil Oil and holds patents in the oil industry.

But by the 1980s Stowe had taken a strange turn into pseudoscience. For a time, he promoted something called Eon Water which, he said, slowed the aging process. And by 2003, he had created the Stowe Foundation to advocate unproven stem cell therapies.

Michael Martin, one of the ALS patients helping with our story, had heard about Stowe from a friend. And before we ever met Martin, he had already given Stowe a down payment of $47,000 to start the treatment.

"When Dr. Stowe said that he could reverse this disease with stem cells, you thought what?" Pelley asked.

"Oh, I wanted to believe," Martin replied.

How does Stowe make believers of the desperate? We wanted to see.

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[RUNKITEER]

Pain and desperation can certainly cloud ones rational thinking and it was not long before found a clinic that claimed to help many people with chronic conditions, located in Scottsdale AZ. The cost of the treatments was extremely expensive, but it seemed as though they had some great testimonials and a good reputation online. So I started an aggressive 4 week treatment program at cost of 5K per week. After a couple weeks of treatment without any change in my pain levels, I was told the clinic also offered stem cell transplants that could benefit patients with neurological problems. These treatments were performed at their sister clinic just across the border in Mexico, outside FDA jurisdiction. I got so caught up in the hope, that I lost site of the warning signs all around me. First of all, much of the details of the procedure and cost seemed very vague. I had already spent 30K on treatments that where not showing results, and now I was going to throw down another 30k for a risky unproven treatment in Mexico. So without much thought, I was shuttled 4 hours to Rocky Point Mexico where I was to be given 50 million umbilical cord stem cells via lumbar puncture.

I was a little nervous when I met the doctor and toured the clinic. It was clean and modern, but lacking the experience and sophistication one would expect from a clinic offering $30,000 cutting edge treatments. I was feeling some reservation about going ahead with the procedure, and the idea of getting 4 lumbar punctures was making me a little nervous. The Doctor reassured me, and went on to tell me about several patients that had amazing results from the stem cell implants. Again, with the constant nerve pain driving me insane, I felt I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Man! Was I wrong...the first infusion of stem cells seemed to go smoothly with only minor discomfort, but that night things took a turn for the worse. It started with an aching low back, then my entire spine felt like it was going into spasm. The pain spread up my spine and neck until my entire head was pounding with the worst headache of my life. As the night progressed, fever and chills took over my body as I shuttered with fear at the situation I suddenly found myself in. Early in the AM I called clinic, which rushed me to clinic in ambulance after a few hours of monitoring, the fever and headache started to subside. It was a concerning idea to keep going with treatment if this was going to be the reaction each time. We decided to wait a day and see how I feel before proceeding...the doctors felt, that if they reduced amount of fluid injected, it would reduce the chance of repeating reaction. So after a day to recover, I repeated the procedure, this time my reaction was less severe, but the back pain and headache still persisted. So after 5 days of hell, I was back in the shuttle headed for Phoenix with 50 million stem cells, and hopes that this expensive and painful exercise would pay off.

I was told it might be months before I would see any benefit, so I returned home with a new found hope that I might see at least minor benefits in coming months. Unfortunately, things have not improved, and ever since that first stem cell injection, my health has quickly deteriorated. The pain has spread up my back and throughout my legs; suddenly I have numbness in my feet and hands. Two months after the procedure, I am now unable to stand, walk or sit for than a few minutes. No amount of pain medication can control the nerve or back pain, and with paralysis taking over my legs, my medical condition went from bad to horrible.

I know that I must now live with this decision, and beating myself up will only make coping with these health challenges even more difficult. What I can do is warn anyone who might be feel they are out of options, and considering going down a similar path. I certainly do not want to discourage anyone from seeking legitimate treatment, or keeping hopeful in the face of overwhelming health challenges, but the realistic facts remain; \ we are years away from any viable stem cell treatments, so until that day comes, there will be scum bags selling hope to the most desperate among us.

It is hard to accept the devastating results of spinal injuries or degenerative diseases, and it is only natural to try anything in an attempt to regain a quality of life. That is why it is so important to listen to your doctors, because placing hope and spending thousand of dollars on experimental therapies are a gamble not worth taking. From the beginning of time there have been purveyors of hope, the Internet has created the perfect environment for these vultures to exploit the most vulnerable without any accountability for their actions. Now more than ever, it is important to filter all the information we get via the web, so that we can make sound decisions based on facts, rather than being fooled by sophisticated marketing traps.

[PedroGonzales1999]

Regenocyte owned by Dr Zannos Grekos promotes an adult stem cell therapy program to treat congestive heart failure and other diseases. The procedure, which is not approved in the United States, is carried out partially in the USA & the Dominican Republic. The risks associated with this therapy are not adequately described, including the risks associated with withdrawing blood without replacement.Regenocyte does not abide either by the terms or the spirit of its contract. Full payment of $75,000 is expected up front; 90% stated as refundable if the treatment is NOT performed but Dr Grekos has no intention to honour that agreement once he has the money. Dr. Grekos has been sued for malpractice. Another suit is likely

[punisher001]

I think that if there were a segment with a CGI representation of Larry Stowe getting slowly garroted to death, this segment would be a huge ratings hit. Stowe is hubris personified, and I for one, would celebrate, if some deranged individual gave Stowe what he deserves.

[sandiselvi]

My name is Sandi Selvi, I was born Sandra Lynn Abram - March 15, 1960, San Jose, California. www.sandiselvi.com?I am the Author of, 'Won't Do Stand-Up in a Wheelchair' (Wyatt-Mackenzie, March 2010), I am an M.S. survivor and I am a stand-up comedian.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1995. When my doctors told me I was advancing so rapidly that they expected me to be in a wheelchair within 5 years. I began to look for any other alternatives. I realized right then and there, that there were two things I did not look good in. One was green, the other was wheelchair's.?
?? My husband and I stumbled upon a well kept secret; stem cell research. They had been doing stem cell transplants for Multiple Sclerosis in Italy, for years. The science had me convinced, and it was the only alternative. Besides, the drugs the doctors had been giving me, were no longer working. And, I was progressing very quickly. It was a no brainer. I donated my body and became stem cell research.
?? I moved to San Diego and volunteered at Scripps Green Hospital, for an experimental autologous stem cell transplant (using my own stem cells), in March of 2000. Not like the fake stem cell transplants YOU exposed, but a real honest to goodness stem cell transplant, done by real doctors in a real hospital.
Unfortunately at the beginning of my transplant, my lung was accidentally punctured. It was a comedy tape of Brian Regan, from a $10.99 box of comedy tapes I had purchased at Costco, that kept me alive that night.?Now, it is comedy that keeps me sane. Laughter still is the best medicine!
Since the transplant I began doing comedy. better yet, I have had no new lesions, no new symptoms and best of all most of my old Multiple Sclerosis symptoms are almost gone. Conclusion: The transplant worked! Who's laughing now?

[dmanaa]

I do not believe that the "snake oil" program was well edited and balanced. The expert Dr Goldstein is a director for ISSRC and he and they believe strongly in the development of stem cells and the "promise" as posted on the ISSCR website.
60 Minutes, to their credit, revealed the downside of human nature by exposing one mans tactics of cheating vulnerable people. But in no way was this balanced. It slanted an opinion toward a negative view of stem therapy overall. An equal view would to have visited stem cell institutes like ICM, the institute for cellular medicine, and find out the real medicine behind the research.
There is real help for those with serious diseases like ms, heart failure and autism among others. this show had a negative impact in san jose, costa rica where the local hospital CIMA halted procedures being performed on Americans the week after this show aired.
Frankly, it was not fair reporting. The interview with Dr Goldstein on the website showed his positive statements but this was not aired to the national audience on CBS. Too bad.

[barbara2c]

http://mnt.to/a/3C2J

No stem based therapies for ALS huh? Stem cell therapy is all snake oil? This is one of the worst stories I have seen in a long time. Why dig up a story like this when there are so many positive science based stories that could have been used instead. I think there is a hidden agenda here by those that are afraid that stem cell therapy will actually mean cures for many diseases, thus replacing our medicated culture as we now know it.

[WHHayMD]

OK, If Dr Greko's work is so amazing he is completely unethical not spending all his time researching and proving this technique so he can share this miraculous cure with the rest of the work. what ever other work he does at his cardiology practice can be done by others. But face it, no medication/surgery/other method works this well no so many different diseases.....none. And no reputable scientist would be using an unresearched method on patient's for money - and lots of it by all accounts. People set up clinics in the Caribbean or Mexico because enforcement of medical/legal standards are lax. If it were promising her could get approval to do his studies in this country - saying this like "the FDA is blocking my research" is just the excuse of a con man.

see CNN report: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/14/stem.cell.regenocyte/index.html

[jfowlercbs]

For a little more information about Dr. Grekos' past, go here: https://apps.fldfs.com/PLCR/Search/MPLClaim.aspx and type in "252879" in the claim number field at the top. Then click the Search button at the bottom. When the result appears, click the Insurance Claim Number on the left.

[larest53]

Sandi Mueller
Lou Ann Rest
2326 McClellanville Terrace
The Villages, Fl 32162


CBS News
60 Minutes

Aril 22, 2010

After watching 60 minutes 21st Century Snake Oil, on April 18, 2010, we would like you to present the other side of the story. We have had adult stem cell therapy, for my heart and Sandi?s macular degeneration. The improvement to both of our conditions has been amazing.

Although there are fraudulent, individuals there are also reputable people using this therapy. Dr. Grekos in Bonita Springs, Florida is one of these individuals creating miracles everyday. He offers no promises or guarantees; he and his staff are highly professional.
He treats people with cardiac, pulmonary, ocular diseases and many others.

Adult stem cell therapy is the procedure where stem cells are drawn from either your blood or bone marrow, and cultured to a therapeutic strength and reintroduced into you body directly where the damaged tissue or organ needs repair.

We have met other patients that have also had amazing results. Our concerns are that your program of the 18th will lead people in need of stem cell therapy to believe that it is a fraud. It is NOT A FRAUD.

Dr. Grekos has agreed to speak to you at any time to discuss his treatment with various patients as to the success he has had with different diseases.

There are millions of people that could be helped with adult stem cell therapy. We would appreciate it if you would show legitimate procedures being done. There are many of us out there. The quality of our life has improved a thousand times due to Dr. Grekos visionary approach to stem cell therapy, Regenocyte Worldwide 1-866-216-5710

Feel free to contact us for additional information.

Sandi Mueller Lou Ann Rest

[conned2x]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/14/stem.cell.regenocyte/index.html?section=cnn_latest

[sandiselvi]

I would love to join your crusade to bring the truth to the people who need it most. I too had an autologous stem cell transplant in March of 2000. It has completely stopped my Multiple Sclerosis and most of my old symptoms have gone away. I am getting better every day. I even wrote a book about it called, 'Won't Do Stand-Up in a Wheelchair' (Wyatt-Mackenzie, March 2010) which just came out March 31, 2010 and is available on Amazon.

[larest53]

Emily,
There are many doctors out there that are not just ripping people off. check out www.regenocyte.com. I had adult stem cell therapy done for my heart and I am doing wornderful. I would suggest just checking out some different sites. I know my doctor has treated one als patient but it is too soon to know results.

[jmunson15]

I believe you did a good thing by exposing these obvious medical frauds, however I also believe that 20/20 should follow up with a segment exposing the good being done for many people with no real hope through stemcell treatments. My wife was very near the end after suffering from copd for 9 years. She was on oxygen 24/7, and was unable to bathe, or walk more than a few steps. We went to Mexico in August 2009, and received stemcell treatment using stemcells harvested from bone marrow in her own hip. She noticed improvement in her breathing immediately, and progressively improved to a point that she no longer requires oxygen while sitting, can move through the house with oxygen, bathes herself, and has energy she has not had in years. We are amazed the most americans do not know the possibilities stemcells offer, and the US needs to get with it to harness these amazing medical miracles. Most people think embryonic, when stemcell treatment is mentioned, and that is not the case, as bone marrow, and even fat cells are being used to harvest stemcells. Our local Dr., could only prescribe medicine for the symptoms of the disease, but no treatment for the disease itself. Americans need to know what stemcells have done for those without hope, and what more exciting possibilities they may bring.