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Stem cell doctor hearing begins Stem cell doctor hearing begins
(about 5 hours later)
A doctor offering controversial stem cell treatment is before the GMC today.A doctor offering controversial stem cell treatment is before the GMC today.
Dr Trossel is accused of making false claims to patients he sent abroad for stem cell treatment and failing to warn them of potential risks.Dr Trossel is accused of making false claims to patients he sent abroad for stem cell treatment and failing to warn them of potential risks.
Stem cells hold out hope for cures for degenerative diseases in future but most treatments are still unproven.Stem cells hold out hope for cures for degenerative diseases in future but most treatments are still unproven.
Dr Trossel was suspended by the GMC in 2007 and also has a conviction for breaching the law on stem cell treatments in Belgium.Dr Trossel was suspended by the GMC in 2007 and also has a conviction for breaching the law on stem cell treatments in Belgium.
Stem cell therapy is tightly regulated in the UK and there are guidelines for developing safe and effective treatments.Stem cell therapy is tightly regulated in the UK and there are guidelines for developing safe and effective treatments.
But vulnerable patients with degenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis have travelled abroad and paid thousands of pounds for unproven treatments.But vulnerable patients with degenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis have travelled abroad and paid thousands of pounds for unproven treatments.
Dr Trossel, who practiced in London and Rotterdam, is alleged to have injected patients with stem cells at his Rotterdam clinic.Dr Trossel, who practiced in London and Rotterdam, is alleged to have injected patients with stem cells at his Rotterdam clinic.
Exaggerated claims
The GMC will consider allegations that Dr Trossel acted dishonestly, abused his position as a doctor and exploited vulnerable patients with multiple sclerosis and Hodgkins' disease by offering treatments which were not in patients' interests and not justifiable on the basis of scientific evidence.The GMC will consider allegations that Dr Trossel acted dishonestly, abused his position as a doctor and exploited vulnerable patients with multiple sclerosis and Hodgkins' disease by offering treatments which were not in patients' interests and not justifiable on the basis of scientific evidence.
He is accused of failing to warn patients of the potential risks of stem cell therapy and exaggerating the benefits.He is accused of failing to warn patients of the potential risks of stem cell therapy and exaggerating the benefits.
He is said to have sent literature to one patient in 2006 which claimed that he personally had treated "approximately 120 patients over the last year and a half of which half had MS and 10% were now walking out of a wheelchair. Another 80% have had a proven significant clinical benefit".He is said to have sent literature to one patient in 2006 which claimed that he personally had treated "approximately 120 patients over the last year and a half of which half had MS and 10% were now walking out of a wheelchair. Another 80% have had a proven significant clinical benefit".
He is also accused of making false claims about other treatments - vitamin B therapy, aqua tilis therapy and therapeutic resonance imaging.He is also accused of making false claims about other treatments - vitamin B therapy, aqua tilis therapy and therapeutic resonance imaging.
Previous conviction
Dr Trossel is also accused of not declaring a police caution to the GMC.Dr Trossel is also accused of not declaring a police caution to the GMC.
The GMC will also consider a conviction in Belgium for which Dr Trossel was fined and given a suspended prison sentence breaching stem cell laws.The GMC will also consider a conviction in Belgium for which Dr Trossel was fined and given a suspended prison sentence breaching stem cell laws.
The GMC suspended Dr Trossel in 2007. Although he was not struck off at that stage, he was not allowed to practise as a doctor.The GMC suspended Dr Trossel in 2007. Although he was not struck off at that stage, he was not allowed to practise as a doctor.
The hearing is planned to run until the start of March.The hearing is planned to run until the start of March.