Scientific advancements are turning an unconventional resource into a valuable medical asset: human fecal matter. Researchers are establishing “stool banks” where individuals can donate fecal samples for critical medical research and treatments, particularly fecal microbiota transplants (FMT). This emerging practice has the potential to significantly improve health outcomes for various medical conditions.
Nadeem O. Kaakoush, an Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales Sydney (UNSW Sydney), has issued a public service announcement highlighting the growing importance of these stool banks. The aim is to raise awareness about how fecal donations can contribute to medical treatments. “The idea is to use it for ‘poo’ transplants,” Kaakoush explained. “That’s when poo products made from healthy donor poo are transplanted into another person to improve their health.”
Research indicates that fecal transplantation could play a crucial role in treating numerous health issues, including autism spectrum disorder, alcohol use disorder, obesity, and certain cancers. Ongoing studies are exploring its effectiveness for conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases and chronic urinary tract infections. However, obtaining suitable material for clinical trials is essential, making donor participation vital.
Kaakoush likened a fecal donation to giving a different type of organ, emphasizing that the gut microbiome is responsible for many essential functions, including immune system regulation and metabolism. Notably, not all fecal samples qualify for donation. They must adhere to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure safety and quality.
Potential donors must undergo comprehensive medical screenings to confirm they do not carry blood-borne viruses, parasites, or harmful bacteria like Clostridioides difficile. Moreover, a commitment to consistent donations is often required, which narrows the pool of eligible candidates.
In the United States, the demand for fecal microbiota transplants is on the rise. In March 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first commercial FMT product, RBX2660 (Rebyota), for preventing recurrent C. difficile infections in adults. In clinical trials, it demonstrated a success rate of 70.6% in preventing recurrence, compared to 57.5% for a placebo. The following year, the FDA approved SER-109 (Vowst), marking the first oral FMT product for recurrent C. difficile infections, showing a recurrence rate of 12.4% after eight weeks versus 39.8% for a placebo.
Stool banks are becoming more commonplace across the country. Organizations like OpenBiome and GoodNature are at the forefront of this movement, with GoodNature even offering eligible donors up to USD 1,500 a month for consistent donations that meet their criteria. “You could be saving someone’s life, or at least significantly improving their quality of life,” Kaakoush stated. “Your donation could treat someone with recurrent C. difficile infection or support crucial clinical research.”
As the science around gut health evolves, researchers are increasingly identifying “super-donors” whose fecal matter is exceptionally high quality for transplants. The hope is that raising awareness about stool banks will encourage more individuals to consider donating, thereby enhancing the available resource pool.
In conclusion, the establishment of stool banks represents an innovative approach to addressing various health challenges. By donating fecal samples, individuals can play a significant role in advancing medical research and treatment, potentially saving lives in the process.
