Health Ministry Restricts Stem Cell Therapy for Autism to Clinical Trials, Warns Against Commercial Misuse
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a comprehensive regulatory advisory to all States and Union Territories regarding the strict regulation of stem cell therapy. Citing a landmark Supreme Court judgment, the Ministry reaffirmed that stem cell therapy can only be offered as standard clinical care for specific, government-approved disease conditions.
With regard to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the advisory explicitly mandates that any therapeutic use of stem cells must remain strictly restricted to duly approved clinical trials conducted in accordance with the National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research, 2017. The government instructed state and district regulatory authorities to prevent private clinics and medical establishments from marketing or administering unproven stem cell interventions as routine commercial healthcare services.
The Ministry cautioned that unauthorized promotion or administration of stem cell therapy for autism will be treated as professional misconduct under Indian Medical Council Regulations. Non-compliance could lead to the cancellation of clinic registrations and financial penalties under the Clinical Establishments Act.
