Abstract
China is a primary destination for stem cell tourism, the phenomenon whereby patients travel abroad to receive unproven stem cell-based treatments that have not been approved in their home countries. Yet, much remains unknown about the state of the stem cell treatment industry in China and about how the Chinese view treatments and providers. Given the media’s crucial role in science/health communication and in framing public dialogue, this study sought to examine Chinese newspaper portrayal and perceptions of stem cell treatments and their providers. Based on a content analysis of over 300 newspaper articles, the study revealed that while Chinese newspaper reporting is generally neutral in tone, it is also inaccurate, overly positive, heavily influenced by “interested” treatment providers and focused on the therapeutic uses of stem cells to address the health needs of the local population. The study findings suggest a need to counterbalance providers’ influence on media reporting through strategies that encourage media uptake of accurate information about stem cell research and treatments.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Canada’s Stem Cell Network and Cancer Stem Cell Consortium (CSCC) for funding support, Robyn Hyde-Lay, Zubin Master and Sarah Burningham for various contributions during the research and manuscript preparation process, and Jing Zhang for assistance with coding the data.
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The authors indicate no potential conflicts of interest.
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Ogbogu, U., Du, L., Rachul, C. et al. Chinese Newspaper Coverage of (Unproven) Stem Cell Therapies and their Providers. Stem Cell Rev and Rep 9, 111–118 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12015-012-9425-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12015-012-9425-0