South Korea and medical tourism

South Korea's hopes of promoting "medical tourism" based on the early success of the announcements of the World Stem Cell Hub and Hwang's 11 stem cell lines have certainly dimmed in the past couple of weeks. While reports vary, it is quite certain that Hwan's results will be thoroughly scruntinized--as anybody's results should be.

Why was a group in South Korea hoping to draw patients there for stem cell treatments? Of course, one of the immediate answers is money. Medical tourism, as it is called, is a move by a number of countries to lure patients in for treatments that are prohibited elsewhere or cost less in the interested country.

While Mexican clinics did much the same for cancer patients, tourism was not usually part of the promise.  Now, several countries--primarily in Asia--are offering medical treatments at lower costs and combining these with the lure of visiting a new land. Sort of a combined boost for both the body and the spirit.

Having just returned from a tourist trip, I can't imagine combining medical treatment and touring the sights--especially not when it comes to stem cell treatments. Bone marrow and umbilical cord stem treatments require a lot of preparation and follow-up. I wonder how many people would want to be away from home, even visiting the sights, for such a long time? I can speak with such disdain because I don't currently need a stem cell transplant. What about those who do?

Marie Godfrey, PhD