Ukrainian stem cell researchers are teaming up with American investors and the Caribbean tourist trade to set up an Institute of Regenerative Medicine on Barbados. It will carry out research and offer therapy using foetal stem cells for $25,000 per patient.
The treatment was developed at the Institute of Cryobiology in Ukraine. Speaking in London yesterday, Valentin Grishchenko, head of the Kharkov-based institute, said almost 20 years of clinical experience there showed that the stem cell therapy was safe and effective.
Of 1,740 patients treated in Ukraine for a wide variety of diseases, from blood disorders and diabetes to Parkinson's disease and chronic fatigue syndrome, there were "significant improvements" in 68 per cent, "partial improvements" in 28 per cent and no improvement in 4 per cent. However, the patient data from Ukraine are not in the form favoured by western medical researchers: controlled clinical trials for precisely defined medical conditions.
The Barbados institute will import stem cell preparations from Ukraine. They come from aborted foetuses of six to 12 weeks' gestation. The institute says consent to donate the foetus for stem cell research is made separately from the abortion decision, to avoid any incentive for abortion, and does not involve financial remuneration.
Dwight Thompson, acting director of corporate communications for the Barbados Tourism Authority, said: "The island has long been a destination for wellness and health because of its wonderful climate. We have a long tradition of people coming here to get well." But he added: "From a tourism standpoint we will look at this on its merits. We would probably like to promote it if it meets all correct and legal requirements. If the government takes a position that it is too controversial [to promote] then we would have to consider that."
Scientists elsewhere in the world have some experience with foetal stem cells, particularly for treating Parkinson's disease and stroke. But most research in western Europe and north America is directed at stem cells derived either from early embryos or from adults.
Barnett Suskind, chief executive of the Barbados institute, said it started providing therapy six weeks ago with the government's approval and had so far treated three patients. It would be focusing first on people suffering from auto-immune diseases, diabetes and neurological disorders.
In addition, he said, the institute was discussing a more formal clinical trial of stem cell therapy for congestive heart therapy in association with Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the main hospital on the island.
Elizabeth Ferdinand, acting chief medical officer for Barbados, said: "I have not been aware of the issue - and have no comment to make at this stage."
