Fecal transplants might sound strange, but they are a real medical treatment. They involve taking stool from a healthy person and placing it into the gut of someone who is sick. This can help restore the balance of good bacteria in the patient’s digestive system. HumanMicrobes.org is a website that claims to connect healthy stool donors with people who need fecal transplants.
They offer to pay $500 per stool sample, which could add up to $180,000 a year if you donate every day!
But is this too good to be true? Many people are wondering if HumanMicrobes.org is a legitimate company or just a scam. Let’s explore what people are saying about it, what the concerns are, and what the FDA has to say.
What Is HumanMicrobes.org?
HumanMicrobes.org presents itself as a company that is searching for the “perfect” stool donors. They claim that only the healthiest individuals qualify, and they are willing to pay top dollar for their poop. The idea is that these super-healthy donors can provide stool samples that could help treat various health conditions through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
On their website, they say they are looking for donors who are in excellent health, have ideal body weight, and have no history of diseases. They emphasize that they have very strict criteria and that only about 0.1% of applicants qualify. This means that out of 26,000 people they have screened, they have found none or very few matching their criteria.
People’s Concerns and Skepticism
Many individuals have come across HumanMicrobes.org through social media ads, online forums, or even flyers. At first glance, the offer of making $500 per stool sample sounds amazing. However, there are several red flags that people have pointed out.
Unprofessional Website and Materials
Several people noted that the HumanMicrobes.org website looks unprofessional and is poorly put together. The coding on the application page is off, making it hard to select answers in their questionnaire. Their flyers and advertisements also appear cheaply made, which makes some people doubt their credibility.
Questionable Address and Contact Information
One of the most glaring issues is that the address listed on their website leads to a “Halal Grill Shawarma” in California. This raises concerns about the legitimacy of the company’s operations. Additionally, there is no clear way to contact medical professionals or a lead study coordinator, which is unusual for a company dealing with medical treatments.
Strange Application Process
Applicants have reported that the questionnaire is extremely long and includes odd questions, such as whether you have dandruff or have ever worn braces. Some people have been asked to provide photos and videos showing their physical fitness, including videos of themselves running on a treadmill for two to four hours straight!
Privacy and Data Concerns
There is worry that HumanMicrobes.org might be collecting personal information through their detailed questionnaires and using it for other purposes. Some people speculate that the company could be selling this data to other organizations for targeted advertising.
Lack of Medical Oversight
Medical procedures like fecal transplants are typically done in controlled environments under the supervision of doctors. Stool samples are carefully collected, screened, and processed to ensure safety. HumanMicrobes.org suggests that donors can ship their stool directly to recipients, which bypasses important safety protocols.
FDA Warning Letter
In February 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to HumanMicrobes.org. The FDA stated that the company is offering fecal microbiota for transplantation without the necessary approvals. They are promoting their products to treat or prevent various diseases, which makes their products unapproved new drugs and unlicensed biological products.
The FDA pointed out that HumanMicrobes.org is offering FMT for conditions other than Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection, which is the only condition for which the FDA has a discretionary policy allowing FMT without an Investigational New Drug (IND) application under specific conditions. The FDA also raised concerns about inadequate donor screening and potential safety risks.
What Are Fecal Transplants?
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a procedure where stool from a healthy donor is transplanted into the gut of a patient. This is done to restore healthy bacteria in the digestive system. FMT has been shown to be effective in treating recurrent C. difficile infections, which can cause severe diarrhea and colon problems.
The process involves screening donors for diseases, collecting stool samples in a sterile way, and processing the samples in a laboratory. The transplant is then given to the patient under medical supervision, either through colonoscopy, enema, or capsules.
Why Are People Skeptical?
Given the strict medical protocols required for FMT, the way HumanMicrobes.org is operating raises many concerns.
- Shipping Stool Directly to Patients: Allowing donors to ship stool samples directly to patients is risky. There is no guarantee that the samples are safe, properly screened, or handled correctly.
- Lack of Medical Supervision: Without doctors overseeing the process, patients could be exposed to harmful bacteria or viruses.
- Unproven Claims: HumanMicrobes.org makes claims that FMT can treat a wide range of conditions, including mental health disorders, obesity, autism, and more. Many of these claims are not supported by scientific evidence.
What Did People Experience?
Many people shared their experiences with HumanMicrobes.org on online forums like Reddit.
- Lengthy Application Process: Applicants reported filling out long questionnaires with detailed personal information.
- Unusual Requests: Some were asked to provide videos of themselves exercising for hours, which seemed excessive and unnecessary.
- Rejections and Delays: Many applicants never heard back or received rejections months later, being told they did not meet the criteria.
- No Clear Communication: People felt that the company’s communication was poor, lacking clear instructions or explanations.
Is It a Scam?
While it’s hard to say definitively, there are many signs that suggest HumanMicrobes.org may not be a legitimate or safe company.
- Medical Safety Concerns: The lack of proper medical oversight and adherence to safety protocols is alarming.
- FDA Warning: The FDA has officially warned the company about their unlawful practices.
- Data Privacy: There is a risk that personal information collected may be misused.
- No Verified Success: There are no verifiable reports of successful stool donations or treatments through this company.
What Should You Do?
If you are considering becoming a stool donor or seeking FMT treatment, it’s important to:
- Consult with a Doctor: Always speak to a healthcare professional before participating in medical treatments.
- Research Thoroughly: Look for reputable organizations and verify their credentials.
- Protect Your Information: Be cautious about sharing personal data with unknown companies.
- Report Concerns: If you suspect a scam or encounter unsafe practices, report them to the proper authorities.
Conclusion
The idea of helping others by donating stool sounds noble, and fecal transplants can be life-saving for certain conditions. However, it’s crucial to ensure that such procedures are done safely and legally. HumanMicrobes.org has raised many red flags, from unprofessional practices to violating FDA regulations.
Remember, if something sounds too good to be true—like making $180,000 a year by simply sending your poop—it probably is. Always prioritize your safety and consult with medical professionals when it comes to health-related matters.
