TY - JOUR

T1 - Searching for information about stem cells online in an age of artificial intelligence: How should the stem cell community respond?

AU - Hoeyer, Klaus

AU - Couturier, Anna

AU - Barawi, Kali

AU - Drew, Cheney

AU - Grundtvig, Anders

AU - Lane, Emma

AU - Munk, Anders Kristian

AU - Whiteley, Louise

AU - Munsie, Megan

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - These are exciting times for those interested in stem cell research. After decades of hard laboratory labor, next-generation stem cell–based products have entered or are about to enter clinical trials for Parkinson disease and other conditions (Gravitz, 2021; Yamanaka, 2020). For researchers, patients, and the public, the promise of regenerative medicine has never been more tangible. However, with unabated growth in direct-to-consumer marketing of unauthorized stem cell treatments across the globe, it is likely that research participants, patients, interested members of the public, journalists, policymakers, and health professionals struggle to obtain accurate information about scientifically validated stem cell therapies (Master et al., 2021). While many are likely to search for answers online, how can individuals discern what information to believe in such a landscape? What determines the information they find? Although what is found will be partly determined by the search engine used, few will understand the economic and technical logics behind the search engine. Indeed, there have been cases in which patients mistake commercial clinics for legitimate trials and have faced serious risks (Kuriyan et al., 2017).

AB - These are exciting times for those interested in stem cell research. After decades of hard laboratory labor, next-generation stem cell–based products have entered or are about to enter clinical trials for Parkinson disease and other conditions (Gravitz, 2021; Yamanaka, 2020). For researchers, patients, and the public, the promise of regenerative medicine has never been more tangible. However, with unabated growth in direct-to-consumer marketing of unauthorized stem cell treatments across the globe, it is likely that research participants, patients, interested members of the public, journalists, policymakers, and health professionals struggle to obtain accurate information about scientifically validated stem cell therapies (Master et al., 2021). While many are likely to search for answers online, how can individuals discern what information to believe in such a landscape? What determines the information they find? Although what is found will be partly determined by the search engine used, few will understand the economic and technical logics behind the search engine. Indeed, there have been cases in which patients mistake commercial clinics for legitimate trials and have faced serious risks (Kuriyan et al., 2017).

U2 - 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.12.009

DO - 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.12.009

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 38278153

VL - 19

JO - Stem Cell Reports

JF - Stem Cell Reports

SN - 2213-6711

ER -