Good or bad, China’s clinical work is already cutting-edge. More than 100 Chinese hospitals are currently performing stem cell procedures, according to Jon Hakim, a Minnesota native who has been appointed director of the foreign patient services department at Beike, helping Nanshan Hospital recruit patients. Since opening up to foreigners about a year ago, Beike has treated 170 of them from 29 countries. Like Melton, most of them find out about Beike from the Internet, and many write their own blogs in China and after they return home. In addition to spinal cord injuries, doctors treat multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and ataxia, a genetic disease that leads to deterioration of muscle function. While undergoing stem cell treatment, patients may also receive physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, drugs, and electrical stimulation. The average price tag: $17,000, plus airfare.