True. As well as the fact that much research is in the preliminary phases and the lack of published results, stem cell treatments have many risks. The worst risk is that the treatment will not work because all the factors for success may not be known.
For instance, in the case of cancer, there is the danger of aggravating this disease. The introduction of stem cells into a pet with cancer may contribute to the uncontrolled growth of cells which is the primary mechanism for cancer. There has never been a case that this has occurred with autologous stem cells but there are still very few cases treated and this is a theoretical possibility.
Another danger is the unchecked use of the types of stem cells to be administered. Embryonic stem cells are only used for research are clinically dangerous and cannot be controlled to prevent cancer. Autologous stem cells are the safest form of stem cells and are those harvested from a pet and used in that same pet. Allogenic stem cells come from another pet of the same species and are commonly used in stem cell research. These cells are not yet allowed by the US FDA for treating clinical patients but are most likely safe. In countries without the supervision and regulation of our FDA, the use of heterologous stem cells harvested different species such as sheep and sharks have been used for treating human patients.
