Overview

• The BMJ published an investigation finding that UK tooth stem cell banking companies are making unproven and potentially misleading claims about future medical use.
• The journal has referred concerns over promotional statements on company websites to the Advertising Standards Agency for review.
• Future Health Biobank’s website states it has released 26 dental pulp stem cell samples to private clinics in North America for uses including autism and type 1 diabetes.
• Experts say there is a paucity of evidence for treating patients with dental pulp stem cells, and an autism claim was condemned by the National Autistic Society as outrageous.
• Future Health says it will revise how information is presented and cites a storage validation program, while Stem Protect rejects making unfounded claims and says its website has Human Tissue Authority approval.