Presidential candidate Rick Perry, the current governor of Texas, announced last week that he decided to try a controversial treatment as part of a recent back surgery. Mr. Perry received an infusion of adult stem cells. The stem cells were harvested from Perry fat, which was removed by liposuction.

This therapy made also made news recently when Dusty Durrill, a Texas developer and philanthropist, publicized that he received an infusion of his own adult stem cells in a clinic in Panama.

The Treatment - Stem Cell Therapy

First, in Perry's and Durrill's cases, a mini-liposuction was used to remove fat tissue from the men. The removed fat contains special cells known as "t regulatory cells" and "mesenchymal stem cells." These special cells are then separated from the fat tissue, cultured in a laboratory, and tested for quality and impurities. After about a week, the cells are implanted into the osteoarthritis impacted joint. These cells have anti-inflammatory properties, and can, theoretically, reduce arthritis-related swelling, and help the body repair itself. The cells also may help damaged bone re-grow.

FDA Approval

So far, the FDA has not approved the stem cell treatment. As a result, the treatment is typically not covered by insurance and can be fairly expensive.

Despite the FDA’s failure to approve the treatments, clinics offering this and other stem cell treatments operate in several locations in the United States. The FDA characterized the treatment as "unproven drugs" and has tried to stop the treatments. But, doctors providing the therapy have taken the position that no FDA approval is required as long as they are only using the patient's own cells. The legality of the treatment is currently being litigated.

Critics Oppose the Treatment

Despite having advocates, many other experts in the field are opposed to the treatments. Dr. George Muschler, an orthopedic surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, said that fat-derived stem cells were "an unusual choice...quite controversial because there isn’t good evidence yet, at least in the medical literature, that fat cells work better or even work at all in repairing bones." AP, August 19, 2011. Additionally, stem cell researcher Dr. Christine Mummery of the Leiden University Medical Center, in Leiden, Netherlands said that at best "nothing happens," and at worst, the patient may die from their treatments (L.A.Times, August 19, 2011).

The Candidate Speaks

On the campaign trail in New Hampshire, Ray Sullivan, Governor Perry’s chief of staff, said: "The governor consulted with his physician and decided the best course of action for him. He’s very pleased with the results of the surgery, with the rapid recovery, and with the procedure that he had.’’ AP, August 19, 2011