PMA verifying reports that stem-cell therapy in Germany killed 3 Mindanao politicians

By: Jet Villa, InterAksyon.com June 24, 2013 12:16 PM

REUTERS FILE PHOTO

InterAksyon.com The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) is verifying media reports that at least three politicians from Mindanao died after undergoing stem cell treatment in Germany.

Citing media reports, PMA president Dr. Leo Olarte said the three politicians went through the procedures as they were trying to seek cure for pneumonia, liver cancer, and heart disease.

Hindi pa natin masasabi kung namatay sila because of stem cell therapy or because of other illnesses.Kailangan pa nating mag-imbestiga, said Olarte, who is also the spokesman of the Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine.

He said the three could have been given stem cells from sheep and rabbits since these are allowed as sources of stem cells in Germany.

We were told that the two died one year after (their respective) procedures.One of them died in April, yung isa noong (the other one in) May, he said.

Olarte admitted PMA still does not have the identities of the politicians but the PMA will send a team to Mindanao to coordinate with their members there to trace their families.

He said while the PMA has no jurisdiction over the doctors who performed the procedure, establishing the connection of the therapy to the politicians death could serve as a warning to those who received xenogenic stem cells or those derived from animals.

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PMA verifying reports that stem-cell therapy in Germany killed 3 Mindanao politicians