Table 1.

Areas of false hope

Area	Illustration
Autologous stem cell transplants for a variety of diseases	‘What they’re really selling is false hope’, states Timothy Caulfield, a health law professor at the University of Alberta. ‘It’s science‐polation.’16
Reproductive attempts	‘Data on the safety, efficacy, cost‐effectiveness, and emotional risks of elective oocyte cryopreservation are insufficient to recommend elective oocyte cryopreservation. Marketing this technology for the purpose of deferring childbearing may give women false hope and encourage women to delay childbearing.’17
Brain death	‘Grouping brain death together with vegetative and minimally conscious states falsely implies that a patient might one day improve from brain death. Gupta is offering false hope to a potentially large audience.’18
Experimental treatments for children	‘Words matter. In pediatrics, a number of organizations such as the Children’s Miracle Network and the Make‐A Wish Foundation use fantastical language in a way that fosters hope.’19
Obesity treatment	‘Many therapists may be contributing to this psychological damage by giving their patients false hope for success and by failing to recognize that seeking treatment for obesity may be triggered by psychological problems that are not addressed in obesity treatment.’20