Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs / Glossary

Mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells are considered to be multipotent adult progenitor cells These cells are usually derived from the Wharton’s jelly of the umbilical cord. They have a considerable capacity for self renewal while maintaining their multipotency. Mesenchymal stem cells are a type of cell capable of differentiating into various non-haematopoietic tissues. Cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells have demonstrated ability to differentiate into a wide variety of tissues in-vitro including neuronal, hepatic, osteoblastic, and cardiac. An important aspect of this cell population is their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity, which can prove effective in auto-immune disorders.. Stem cell treatments should always includes this type of cell in its treatment regimen. These cells seem to possess immune privilege ie these cells are also ‘nude’ and do not elicit an immune response thus they are not necessarily rejected when implanted into unmatched recipients.

Is this evidence based medicine?

Tissu is documenting and detailing all results to fill the niche in evidence in stem cell medicine.  All our results will be published to benefit the world’s community at large. The evidence obtained from our work will be what medicine will base its future direction.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are cells that are early precursor cells which can reproduce themselves, and they have the potential to specialise and become other cells, like cells in muscle, blood or the brain.

What are embryonic stem cells?

Embryonic stem cells are from part of the early 4 - 5 day embryo or the 5 - 10 week foetus. They are pluripotent, which means they can give rise to all types of cells of the body including tumours.

Stem cell treatment Is it worth it ….. How costly is poor health?

Stem cell treatments like all new technologies are coming down in cost thanks to clinics and labs like ours who are pioneering work in this area. Once stem cell treatment is mainstream medicine its costs will reduce dramatically and this in turn will help save on healthcare costs for many countries, once this is realized many government swill subsidise the cost of stem cell treatments.

Is there a risk of cancer?

Stem cell treatments have been used since 2000 in over 7500 patients without a single incidence of cancer.  The only risk of tumor formation is with the use of embryonic stem cells.  TISSU does not use embryonic stem cells.

Are stem cell treatments safe?

No allergic reactions (where the body rejects stem cells) has ever been documented .and In many cases stem cells suppress these sorts of reactions.

Isn’t stem cell treatment only for the very rich?

There are free treatments in the Seychelles with TISSU Stem cell Treatments in certain cases are offered free to Seychelles nationals as is all aspects of health care. Our grants can help cover costs towards treatment although there are strict criteria.

Why do I have to go to the Seychelles?

Wouldn’t you go the extra mile for your health?  The alternative is DON’T go the Seychelles and choose another clinic in china or India or South America where no one speaks English. The masses are everywhere and hygiene and safety are your main concerns rather than convalescence.

I have heard about stem cell clinics, but I don’t speak Chinese or Hindustani

Don’t worry the Seychelles is English speaking...I heard about someone who went for treatment and was unhappy about the squalid hospital in India and I couldn’t tolerate the food …. In the Seychelles the facilities are world class catering to every taste.  Seychelles has more international tourists than most other countries.

Recuperation following treatment …Seychelles aids recovery (time)

You body will recuperate better and quicker in an idyllic setting away from the stresses and strains of busy metropolitan cities.

Who’s TISSU….. How have they became the best in stem cell treatments in the world

Tissu is established as the premier Stem Cell Treatment Clinic in the world as every detail was meticulously scrutinized from the island setting for recovery to utilizing only the best of the best stem cells in the world and recruiting only leading researchers and scientists and building a modern clinic in the English speaking world which attracts the best.

Why do I have to go to the Seychelles for Stem Cell treatment?

Because Tissu has gone the extra mile to set up the world’s best stem cell treatment clinic in the Seychelles. Seychelles was chosen for its ease of access to almost every country in the world and together with its idyllic climate and spectacular scenery.

Are stem cell developments the future of medicine.. Am I really getting tomorrows treatments today

Stem cell treatments have been classed as treatments of the future that will change the face of medicine. This shift in the medical paradigm is taking place at a slow rate as with all new technologies and slowly being embraced through the positive work of clinics like ours.

What are the worldwide medical laws in Stem cell treatments?

Stem cells treatments may be catalyst needed to change many of the unsafe practices throughout the world such as clinics operating without any regulatory authority or worse still illegally in parts of the Third World.

Should I suffer? or use scientific developments?

As breakthroughs in medicine are rapidly changing the very nature of our existence, the advent of stem cell treatments may alleviate much suffering that was once considered untreatable by medicine for example, in spinal cord injuries. These new developments in Stem cell treatments will save millions and thus enable society to treat more people more effectively.

Does the Seychelles have good standards of medical care

The Seychelles is a group of islands that were part of the British colony and thus has a robust legal system based on the Westminster system .Most of its laws are descendant from British Laws and acts of Parliament. The island has a legal system that that is fair, just and democratic and its reputation as one of the leading islands in the world is rightly deserved. Its reputation as one of the premier tourist destinations together with world class facilities speaks volumes. Its medical service is once again based upon the British system and has an envied reputation for providing free medical treatment to all the inhabitants of its islands.

Stem cell clinics ….what’s the difference between TISSU and other clinics

Tissu is run by Western trained registered specialist doctors and treatments coordinated with the Government t. of Seychelles using international guidelines and functioning using world’s best practice. The clinics main aim is to evaluate and understand stem cell treatments and treat patients with the sole objective of aiding recovery.  Tissu recognized that stem cell treatments were clearly beneficial although required regulation and thorough documentation Many other clinics are run by non-medical people.  These clinics purport to treat patients although their data is lacking. Some clinics cannot even explain what type of stem cells and their orgin.  Stem cell treatments are not legal in many countries yet clinics still operate which obviously gives the patient no recourse should problems arise. It is for this reason that Tissu operates under the only legal approval in the world.  All of the cells and treatment protocols are transparent and available for all patients and their doctors to see.  All of the costs are itemized and given to the patient.

Where do your stem cells come from and are they good quality/ ethical and safe?

Our cells are all from labs that are FDA approved or equivalent; our labs must meet strict Good Manufacturing Practice standards , this ensures that you are getting a very safe product produced to world’s best standard. In essence our stem cells used for treatment are amongst the best in the world. We do not use any embryonic cells as the dangers of using these cells are very real. Our ethics committee will not tolerate the use of any cells that are unsafe or untested. They have all been screened for all possible infectious agents.

Stem cell treatment versus traditional medicine….how do they compare?

Currently, stem cell treatments are not part of traditional medicine.  This is because stem cell treatments are a new branch of medicine which have only recently been found to revolutionise traditional treatments. The Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2007 was given to the scientist who discovered Stem cells.  The Seychelles is the first Western country to legalize and approve stem cell therapy.  Tissu is documenting, evaluating and assessing all of the stem cell treatments so that the exact role of stem cell treatments versus traditional medicine can be defined. Stem cell treatments will eventually become part of mainstream medicine following publication of the data obtained from Stem Cell Treatment Clinics like ours.  All of Tissu Stem cell treatments will become complementary to traditional medicine.  All treatments are in keeping with international guidelines set down by the International Society for Stem Cell Research. Many people consider that Stem Cell Treatment is tommorow’s medicine today.