Texas governor Rick Perry is facing questions after a controversial stem cell procedure as the 2012 race for the Republican presidential nomination continues to gain steam ahead of the January caucus.
The Texas governor underwent a procedure on July 1 where stem cells, made from fat taken from his body, were put into his bloodstream, allowing them to assist in healing the bones in his back.
The treatment reportedly carries potential risks including blood clots, infection and cancer.
Dr. George Muschler, an orthopedic surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, told The Associated Press 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.’”
Traveling in New Hampshire earlier in the week, Mr. Perry’s campaign defended the decision, saying the Texas Republican consulted with physicians before undergoing the treatment.
“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. And he feels like that is certainly his right to determine the best course of treatment for him,” said Ray Sullivan, a consultant to the Perry campaign.
The Texas governor’s office issued a similar statement, saying Mr. Perry remains confident in his decision and the results from the procedure.
“The governor chose this procedure to repair a reoccurring back ailment” and has confidence in the team that did it, Mr. Perry’s spokesman told The Associated Press. “The governor believed in this innovative approach.”
Mr. Perry’s stem cell treatment has been met with concerns voiced by a number of top scientists, who are questioning the safety Mr. Perry’s decision to seek the unconventional treatment. The scientist note the treatment is part of a clinical trial, which remains unproven and raises a series of questions related to future use of stem cells in similar circumstances.
That said, a Perry spokesman said this week that the Texas Republican is recovering well.
The controversy over Mr. Perry’s stem cell treatment comes as he continues to gain support in a series of recent polls. The Texas governor has faced questions over a number is health care decisions, including attempts to reject federal health care funding related to President Obama’s health care law.
