Michael Hiltzik: How Jack Nicklaus and Dr. Sanjay Gupta promoted an unproven stem cell treatment — and why this could harm you
The report published April 27 on CNN.com had a glittering pedigree. It was co-authored by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's respected chief medical correspondent, and it featured a novel treatment undertaken by the world-famous golfer Jack Nicklaus for his chronic back pain.
The article reported how Nicklaus, 78, had gone from suffering "particularly debilitating" back pain after a lifetime of golf swings to feeling fit enough to play up to 25 rounds of golf this year. "How long does (Nicklaus) want to play golf?" the article asked. "'As long as my stem cells allow me,'" he replied.
That's a potent first-hand endorsement of an experimental therapy, retailed for CNN's readers by its most eminent medical authority.
Yet rather than provide readers with useful insights into a potentially effective therapy, the piece displayed everything that's wrong with reporting on unproven medical treatments - especially those involving stem cells. It repeated almost as gospel the representations about the treatment made by its promoters, who have a financial interest in making the treatment seem effective.
Although the piece mentioned that Nicklaus' procedure is
