Stem Cell Therapy in the Philippines: A Controversial Landscape

Written by: Geri Geroche

Photo from: Wix Media

Stem cell therapy has been a topic of much controversy, involving the church, the public, and the treatment itself. The discovery of stem cells started a long time ago back in 1998, and by 2001, the first publication on umbilical cord stem cells was released. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to regenerate new stem cells and differentiated cells. These are usually taken from embryos, adult tissues, and from amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood. Stem cell research aims to better understand how diseases develop, produce healthy cells for tissue repair or transplant in cases of diseases or injuries, and test the safety and effectiveness of new drugs.

The Early Days

In the Philippines, stem cell therapy was accessible to the affluent Filipinos who went abroad for anti-aging stem cell treatment as early as the 1970s. Adult stem cell therapy for anti-aging involves injecting stem cells harvested from the patient’s own fat into their bloodstream. Another widely used method offered by Villa Medica clinic in Germany, although controversial, is fresh cell therapy which involves injecting cells harvested from unborn sheep into the patient’s muscles, which improves their health and enhances their complexion. Both procedures are expensive, with adult stem cell therapy costing around $12,500-$18,000 and fresh cell therapy costing $20,000.

The Present

In the early 2000s, stem cell therapy began to be practiced in the Philippines, with many of the patients initially being rich politicians and businessmen. However, treatments such as stem cell pills were now made available to more Filipinos through websites and beauty centers. The problem faced by the Department of Health is the lack of regulations for these treatments, with some practitioners not being accredited and administering unproven treatments.

Debunking the Myths

During the time that stem cells became known to the public, several myths hovered around the method. Firstly, stem cell therapy is not a cure-all. There are certain diseases that it can potentially treat that before were considered incurable, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Secondly, stem cells are not just taken from fetuses. This misunderstanding creates a divide, especially with the church. Most stem cells being used are taken from the bone marrow, adipose or umbilical cord tissue. Even those embryonic stem cells are taken out ethically, as they come from four to five-day-old embryos from IVF procedures. Lastly, the dilemma between adult stem cells vs. embryonic stem cells: Although both are highly valuable, there are restrictions on what adult stem cells can do, which follows certain growth. It is not as flexible as embryonic ones.

Laws and Regulations 

Following the Stem Cell Research and Therapy Act of 2017, creating or harvesting stem cells from human embryos and using plant cells labeled as stem cells are prohibited in the Philippines, while genetically engineering stem cells and harvesting embryonic stem cells from animals are restricted and need approval from the Philippine FDA. So far, only umbilical cord stem cells and adult stem cells taken from the patient or from a donor are permitted for use in research and therapies. At The Medical City, which was one of the hospitals accredited by the Department of Health in 2016 to hold stem cell procedures, stem cells are harvested from the bone marrow, the peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood and materials. These are then injected through the veins, joints, or intradermally as a treatment for diseases associated with blood malignancies and immunodeficiencies.

In a nutshell, stem cell therapy remains a controversial topic in the Philippines, with the public and the church still divided on its use. Despite this, it has been proven to be an effective treatment for certain diseases, and with the right regulations in place, it could potentially provide a solution to many other illnesses. As the field continues to develop, it is important to remain informed of the latest advancements and changes in regulations.

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