Hope and hype: stem cells in the media

Stem cells are often portrayed in the media as a miracle cure for many serious conditions and disabilities. Hugely positive headlines have led to significant and understandable public interest in this fascinating cutting-edge science.

But are all the claims for stem cells justified? Can stem cell treatments pose dangers to unwary patients? And who has control over this often controversial, pioneering branch of medicine?

In this special report, Behind the Headlines analyses media coverage of stem cell research, gives an easy-to-understand insight into the science and checks the claims made against what researchers have found to date.

Hope and hype: An analysis of stem cells in the media (PDF, 2.7Mb) will help you sort the spectacular results from the speculative headlines.