INSIDE THE MEETING: WHAT AN UNDERCOVER RECORDING REVEALS ABOUT SCIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS AND CLAIMS
A recorded face-to-face interview raises questions about who is advising patients — and how emerging treatments are discussed
By Steven Millard | Investigations Desk
A recorded face-to-face meeting obtained during an ongoing investigation has raised fresh questions about the people presenting scientific information to individuals considering regenerative therapies linked to Wellbeing International Foundation.
The conversation — captured on video during an undercover meeting — features Stephen Ray, described as a “Chief Scientist,” discussing his role within the organisation, the science behind the treatments, and the way information is shared with prospective clients.
What emerges from the recording is not a single controversial statement, but a broader picture of how scientific authority, patient expectation, and legal boundaries intersect in an industry operating on the edge of traditional medical regulation.
“I’M NOT A MEDICAL DOCTOR”
One of the clearest moments in the recorded exchange comes early in the conversation, when Ray is asked directly about his qualifications.
UC: “Are you a medical doctor?”
SR: “No, I’m a PhD doctor… I’m a neuroscientist.”
Throughout the meeting, Ray repeatedly emphasised that he does not carry out medical procedures himself, stating:
“I don’t do the medical treatment because I’m not a doctor.”
The distinction between holding a PhD and being a licensed medical practitioner is widely understood within healthcare regulation — but critics argue that the difference may not always be obvious to individuals seeking treatment, particularly when discussions take place in prestigious medical environments such as Harley Street.
Ray described his role as explaining the science behind the therapy and advising people on what the treatment might or might not achieve, while maintaining that clinical decisions ultimately rest elsewhere.
HOW THE PROCESS WAS EXPLAINED
During the conversation, Ray outlined the approach used within the programme as he understands it:
blood is taken from the individual
samples are sent to a laboratory overseas
material is later returned and reintroduced into the body
He described the therapy as involving “secretions that come off the stem cells,” rather than traditional stem-cell transplantation.
When asked directly whether he believed the treatment helps people, Ray replied:
“Yes it does… based on the research we’ve actually done.”
He also stated that his involvement focused on communicating scientific concepts rather than delivering clinical care.
QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPANY STRUCTURE
The recording also touched on the organisation’s international structure. When asked why the company was registered in Bermuda, Ray responded:
“Max has got various business interests over there… I just deal with the science.”
The comment reflects a recurring theme throughout the meeting — Ray positioning himself as a scientific communicator rather than a decision-maker on corporate or financial matters.
THE CANCER QUESTION — AND THE LAW
As the conversation progressed, investigators raised concerns about how treatments linked to serious illnesses are discussed with prospective clients.
While the recording does not show Ray presenting himself as a licensed doctor, the discussion prompted questions about the legal framework governing the promotion of treatments in the United Kingdom.
Under the Cancer Act 1939, it is an offence to advertise or promote treatments claiming to cure cancer unless specific legal exemptions apply — legislation designed to protect vulnerable individuals from misleading medical claims.
This investigation does not allege that Ray personally breached the Act. However, legal experts say discussions involving serious illnesses must be handled carefully to avoid creating expectations that could be interpreted as medical claims.
One healthcare regulatory analyst explained:
“The issue isn’t always what is explicitly promised — it’s how a vulnerable patient might interpret what they’re being told.”
SCIENCE, ADVICE — OR SOMETHING IN BETWEEN?
Throughout the recording, Ray framed his role as scientific rather than clinical, describing himself as someone who explains research rather than provides treatment.
Yet critics argue that when conversations take place in environments associated with elite medical care, the line between scientific explanation and perceived medical authority can become blurred.
Supporters of emerging therapies say innovation often develops faster than regulation, and that scientists communicating directly with patients is not unusual in cutting-edge fields. Others believe clearer distinctions between scientific discussion and clinical advice are essential.
WHY THIS RECORDING MATTERS
The significance of the footage lies less in any single quote and more in the broader questions it raises:
Who is advising individuals exploring experimental therapies?
How clearly are qualifications communicated to prospective clients?
And where do scientific explanations end and perceived medical guidance begin?
This investigation has uncovered no evidence that Ray claimed to be a medical doctor. However, the conversation highlights the complex ecosystem surrounding modern regenerative treatments — where science, marketing, and patient hope often intersect.
A DEVELOPING STORY
Wellbeing International Foundation has not provided detailed comment at the time of publication.
As regulatory scrutiny around regenerative therapies continues to grow internationally, the role of non-medical scientific figures in patient-facing discussions is likely to become an increasingly important area of debate.
For now, the undercover recording offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes — revealing how conversations about science, treatment, and expectation unfold away from promotional websites and glossy marketing material.
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