Paul Niehans (21 November 1882 – 1 September 1971) was a Swiss surgeon. He is best known for developing fresh cell therapy, a form of alternative medicine. Due to unproven rumors that he had treated famous celebrities and world leaders, his clinic speciliazing in fresh cell therapy became popular.[1][2] In 1955, he was appointed to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences after providing services to Pope Pius XII.[2] There is no medical evidence to suggest his fresh cell therapy is useful for any health problem,[3][4][5] and it has not been approved in several countries for safety reasons.
Paul Niehans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 21 November 1882 Bern, Switzerland |
| Died | 1 September 1971 (aged 89) Montreux, Switzerland |
| Known for | Developer of cellular therapy with the Niehans Method |
| Awards | Member of the Papal Academy of Science Noble Knight of the Military and Hospital of St Lavare, France |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Surgeon, medical writer |
| Institutions | Paul Niehans Clinic, Hospitals in Vevey, Montreux and Aigle |
| Sub-specialties | Regenerative medicine, rejuvenation, Cell therapy |
Biography
editEarly life
editNiehans, the son of a doctor, was born in Bern, Switzerland. He initially studied theology, then switched to medicine. Niehans joined the Swiss Army in 1912,[6] and he worked as a doctor during World War I.[2][6] In 1931, he conducted his first test of what would later be called fresh cell theory.[6]
Fresh cell therapy
editFresh cell therapy is an alternative medicine where animal cells, dried or fresh, are injected into the muscles of humans.[7] Niehans promoted it as a cure for many diseases and ailments, such as cancer, homosexuality, anemia, diabetes, heart issues, impotence, and sexual disfunction. He also advocated it as a form of breast enhancement.[1]
There is no evidence it is useful for any health problem.[3] Fresh cell therapy is considered an unproven method of cancer treatment and quackery by medical experts.[4][5] In a 1963 investigation by the American Cancer Society, they found "no evidence that treatment with the Fresh Cell Therapy or "CT" results in any objective benefit in the treatment".[4] There have been several instances of severe adverse effects including death.[8]
In the United States and Switzerland, it is not legally available because of safety concerns and lack of proof of its effectiveness.[9][7] The World Health Organization does not recognize its usefulness as a form of medical treatment.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b "The Fountain of Youth, updated". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c "Dr. Paul Niehans, Swiss Surgeon, 89". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Robyn, MP; Newman, AP; Amato, M; Walawander, M; Kothe, C; Nerone, JD; Pomerantz, C; Behravesh, CB; Biggs, HM; Dahlgren, FS; Pieracci, EG; Whitfield, Y; Sider, D; Ozaldin, O; Berger, L; Buck, PA; Downing, M; Blog, D (2 October 2015). "Q Fever Outbreak Among Travelers to Germany Who Received Live Cell Therapy - United States and Canada, 2014". MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 64 (38): 1071–3. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6438a3. PMID 26421460.
- ^ a b c "Unproven methods of cancer treatment". CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 13: 248–249. 1963. doi:10.3322/canjclin.13.6.248.
- ^ a b "Fresh cell therapy". Federal Office of Public Health FOPH.
- ^ a b c Paula Anne Ford-Martin; Tish Davidson (2011), "Cell therapy", in Laurie J. Fundukian (ed.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, vol. 2 (4th ed.), Gale, pp. 885–887, ISBN 978-1-4144-8646-8
- ^ a b American Cancer Society cell therapy page
- ^ Jean-Marie Abgrall (1 January 2000). Healing Or Stealing?: Medical Charlatans in the New Age. Algora Publishing. p. 128. ISBN 978-1-892941-28-2.
- ^ a b "Fresh cell therapy". Archived from the original on 2020-10-10.
Sources
edit- Literature by and about Paul Niehans in the German National Library catalogue
- Gilles Lambert. (1959). Conquest of Age: The Extraordinary Story of Dr. Paul Niehans. Rinehart.
- E. Wolff: Vor 50 Jahren: Paul Niehans bringt den Begriff «Zellulartherapie» in die Öffentlichkeit. In: Schweizerische Ärztezeitung / Bulletin des médecins suisses / Bollettino dei medici svizzeri. 2002;83: Nr 32/33, S. 1726f. (Text als pdf-Datei)
- Paul Niehans in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.