Stamceller fra navlestrengsblod - Er den kommercielle markedsføring redelig?

Abstract

Abstract The project aims to examine how scientific knowledge is conveyed in the marketing of commercial offers of umbilical cord blood storage. The issue is addressed through literature studies and contacts to professionals within the field. The possibilities and limitations within the use of umbilical cord stem cells are studied. The main focus of the project is how the available knowledge is conveyed in the marketing of the offers from stem cell banks. Marketing methods and techniques used by StemCare® are accounted for. Based on the book Formidlingsetik by J. F. Mikkelsen which addresses the concept of scientific integrity an analysis of the scientific integrity of the information material is devised. On the basis of the analysis and discussion, our qualified judgement is that StemCare®s sales promotion is fraudulent in accordance to § 3 and 4 in the law of sales promotion. In their unclear presentation StemCare® misleads the consumers into drawing conclusions on the wrong basis, for financial gain. StemCare® gives the impression that only time is a barrier, when it is rather the issue of converting theory to practice that is the real challenge. Much more research within the field of stem cells is yet necessary to be able to determine how much potential lies within stem cells from umbilical cord blood in future use.