Stem cell treatment for autism malpractice, only clinical trials allowed: SC

THE Supreme Court on Friday ruled that administering stem cell therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) outside approved and monitored clinical trials is unethical and amounts to medical malpractice, citing a lack of scientific evidence and breach of medical standards.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY @New Delhi

A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said, “Therefore, every use of stem cells in patients outside an approved clinical trial is unethical and shall be considered as malpractice.” The court held that such interventions are not recognised as sound medical practice due to the absence of empirical support on safety and efficacy.