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Rachel V Thomas

Top Indian Medical Body Declares Stem Cell Therapy For Autism Illegal

After a recent Supreme Court of India order banning the use of stem cell therapy to treat <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/autism">autism</a> -- a neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior -- the country's National Medical Commission has issued a clear warning to doctors and hospitals not to use the therapy to treat autism in routine medical practice.

The National Medical Commission, in a new advisory, asked all medical colleges, hospitals, and doctors to strictly follow the rules.

In a letter sent to the regulator, Indian Council of Medical Research Director-General Dr. Rajiv Bahl stated that the stem cell treatment can now be used in regular medical practice only for 32 diseases that are officially approved by the government. These include blood cancers and serious blood disorders such as:

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/thalassemia">Thalassemia</a>

The letter asked doctors not to offer stem cell therapy for any other disease outside this list.

Notably, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB), under the National Medical Commission (NMC), had, in December 2022, constituted the Committee on Stem Cell Use in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

It had stated that none of the current international guidelines recommend stem cell therapy as a treatment for ASD and added that the therapy is not recommended as a treatment for ASD in clinical practice.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/japan-approves-first-ever-stem-cell-therapies-for-parkinsons-and-heart-failure-article-153839053" data-type="tilCustomLink">Japan Approves First-Ever Stem Cell Therapies For Parkinson’s And Heart Failure</a>

<h2>What Was The Supreme Court Ruling On Stem Cells? </h2>

Earlier this year, in January, a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan noted that stem cell therapy lacks “scientific support and has not been recognized as a sound medical practice backed by empirical evidence”.

The Bench ruled that “every use of stem cells in patients outside an approved clinical trial is unethical and shall be considered as malpractice.”

The apex Court, however, added that the advanced therapy, which holds promise in several medical fields, can still be approved for monitored clinical research trials. It added that the patients have the liberty to participate in approved and regulated clinical trials.

Stem cell therapy, also called regenerative medicine, is a medical treatment that uses stem cells to repair or replace damaged tissues.

While the therapy is useful and effective for blood cancers and autoimmune diseases, for the treatment of autism, there is no proof or scientific evidence of its utility.

As stem cell therapy is vastly unregulated in India, many private labs have been minting money over the promise of treatment for autism.

“Most stem cell therapies are unregulated in India and are promoted based on no evidence, and fake advertisements. While these disorders have no cure, many people are falsely lured by these companies,” Dr. Manjari Tripathi, Head of Department, Neurology, AIIMS Delhi, had told IANS, after the SC verdict.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/new-stem-cell-transplant-breakthrough-could-replace-chemo-in-cancer-treatment-article-152510640" data-type="tilCustomLink">New Stem Cell Transplant Breakthrough Could Replace Chemo In Cancer Treatment</a>

<h2>Stem Cells Permissible Only For Research</h2>

The NMC warned that any doctor or institution offering stem cell therapy for autism will face regulatory and legal action.

The top medical regulator, however, stated that stem cell therapy is permissible only for research purposes.

Such studies must follow strict rules set by the government and must be approved by ethics committees and national regulatory bodies.

Researchers must also ensure that patients give written consent, that treatment is provided free during the trial, and compensation is offered if injury or death occurs during research. 

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After a recent Supreme Court of India order banning the use of stem cell therapy to treat autism -- a neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior -- the country's National Medical Commission has issued a clear warning to doctors and hospitals not to use the therapy to treat autism in routine medical practice. The National Medical Commission, in a new advisory, asked all medical colleges, hospitals, and doctors to strictly follow the rules. In a letter sent to the regulator, Indian Council of Medical Research Director-General Dr. Rajiv Bahl stated that the stem cell treatment can now be used in regular medical practice only for 32 diseases that are officially approved by the government. These include blood cancers and serious blood disorders such as: Acute myeloid leukemia Thalassemia Multiple myeloma Aplastic anemia Myelofibrosis Germ cell tumors. The letter asked doctors not to offer stem cell therapy for any other disease outside this list.Notably, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB), under the National Medical Commission (NMC), had, in December 2022, constituted the Committee on Stem Cell Use in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It had stated that none of the current international guidelines recommend stem cell therapy as a treatment for ASD and added that the therapy is not recommended as a treatment for ASD in clinical practice.Also read: Japan Approves First-Ever Stem Cell Therapies For Parkinson’s And Heart Failure What Was The Supreme Court Ruling On Stem Cells? Earlier this year, in January, a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan noted that stem cell therapy lacks “scientific support and has not been recognized as a sound medical practice backed by empirical evidence”. The Bench ruled that “every use of stem cells in patients outside an approved clinical trial is unethical and shall be considered as malpractice.” The apex Court, however, added that the advanced therapy, which holds promise in several medical fields, can still be approved for monitored clinical research trials. It added that the patients have the liberty to participate in approved and regulated clinical trials. What Is Stem Cell Therapy Stem cell therapy, also called regenerative medicine, is a medical treatment that uses stem cells to repair or replace damaged tissues. While the therapy is useful and effective for blood cancers and autoimmune diseases, for the treatment of autism, there is no proof or scientific evidence of its utility. As stem cell therapy is vastly unregulated in India, many private labs have been minting money over the promise of treatment for autism. “Most stem cell therapies are unregulated in India and are promoted based on no evidence, and fake advertisements. While these disorders have no cure, many people are falsely lured by these companies,” Dr. Manjari Tripathi, Head of Department, Neurology, AIIMS Delhi, had told IANS, after the SC verdict.Also read: New Stem Cell Transplant Breakthrough Could Replace Chemo In Cancer TreatmentStem Cells Permissible Only For ResearchThe NMC warned that any doctor or institution offering stem cell therapy for autism will face regulatory and legal action.The top medical regulator, however, stated that stem cell therapy is permissible only for research purposes. Such studies must follow strict rules set by the government and must be approved by ethics committees and national regulatory bodies. Researchers must also ensure that patients give written consent, that treatment is provided free during the trial, and compensation is offered if injury or death occurs during research. 

top indian medical body declares stem cell therapy for autism illegal

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