In a new three-part Netflix docuseries titled “Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife,” the alleged web of lies and controversies surrounding Italian stem cell scientist Paolo Macchiarini is brought to light by his former fiancée and NBC News producer Benita Alexander. Directed by Emmy-nominated Ben Steele, the docuseries premiered on November 29 and delves into the increasing scrutiny faced by Macchiarini, who gained fame in the early 2000s for his groundbreaking plastic organ transplants.
Macchiarini’s experimental trachea transplants, which involved coating plastic or cadaver-sourced windpipes in the recipient’s own stem cells, led to the deaths of at least eight transplant recipients. The procedure had never been tested on animals and was first performed on desperate “human guinea pigs,” according to Alexander. The doctor’s alleged misrepresentations and lies about his research have since come to light, with eleven of his published papers being retracted.
The Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, where Macchiarini once taught and conducted his studies, initially supported him but later expressed concerns about his misrepresentations. In 2022, Macchiarini was charged with aggravated assault and bodily harm against three of his former patients by a Swedish appeals court. He was sentenced to 2 ½ years, although prosecutors had requested a longer sentence. It is unclear whether he is currently behind bars.
Despite the criminal charges and controversies, Macchiarini is still licensed to practice, although it is unknown in which countries he maintains his license. The documentary reveals how Macchiarini, who spoke multiple languages and claimed to have operated on prominent figures such as Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, deceived not only his patients but also his former fiancée.
The docuseries highlights the devastating stories of patients who suffered complications and died following Macchiarini’s procedures. These include a 3-year-old girl who died within a year of receiving a synthetic windpipe and a cancer patient who developed a catastrophic infection soon after the operation.
Benita Alexander’s personal experience with Macchiarini’s lies and manipulation is also explored in the docuseries. She discovered that he was already married with children, despite his proposals and promises of an opulent wedding officiated by Pope Francis. Alexander’s findings, along with the deaths of Macchiarini’s patients, were eventually shared with Vanity Fair, leading to increased scrutiny and legal consequences for the controversial surgeon.
While Macchiarini’s prison sentence may be brief, Alexander finds satisfaction in his prosecution, despite the difficulty of proving intentional harm. The docuseries sheds light on the ethical concerns surrounding experimental procedures and the need for stricter regulations in the medical field.
In conclusion, “Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife” exposes the alleged misconduct of Paolo Macchiarini, a once-renowned stem cell scientist, and the tragic consequences suffered by his patients. The docuseries serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical medical practices and the need for accountability in the field of regenerative medicine.
