Why is it in the news?
The Supreme Court ruled stem cell therapy cannot be offered for Autism outside approved clinical trials.
Directed creation of dedicated regulatory authority.
Category: Polity
Important Points:
● Stem cell therapy lacks established evidence of safety and efficacy for ASD
● Stem cells generate specialised cells for tissue repair
● Types: Embryonic, Tissue-specific, Induced Pluripotent (iPSCs)
● Governed by National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research 2025
● Guidelines issued by ICMR and DBT
● Violates New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019 if offered commercially
● Autism affects social interaction, communication and behaviour
● Around 1 in 100 children globally estimated to have autism
● Vaccines do not increase autism risk
● Co-occurring conditions include epilepsy, depression and anxiety