Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technology
In News
- The Supreme Court of India (SC) ruled that offering Stem Cell Therapy (SCT) as a routine clinical treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is unethical and constitutes medical malpractice.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interaction, communication, and behavior of the person.
Why Did the Supreme Court Term It Unethical?
- Lack of Scientific Evidence: There is no conclusive clinical proof that stem cell therapy can improve or cure autism and when a procedure lacks a scientific “standard of care,” a practitioner cannot provide adequate information regarding risks and outcomes.
- Violation of Medical Ethics: Offering unproven therapies violates principle of non-maleficence (do no harm) & informed consent, as patients may be misled by exaggerated claims.
- Therapeutic Misconception: Clinics often exploit the emotional vulnerability of parents of children with ASD by framing “experimental trials” as “proven cures.” This is an ethical failure of Transparency and Honesty.
- Regulatory Non-Compliance: In India, stem cell use is regulated by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) & National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research. These guidelines do not permit stem cell therapy for autism outside approved clinical trials.
What are Stem Cells?
- Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can develop into different specialised cells.
- Types include:
- Embryonic stem cells (Pluripotent: Can become any cell type in the body.)
- Adult stem cells (Multipotent: Usually limited to becoming the cell type of their origin (e.g., blood cells))
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) (Reprogrammed: Lab-altered to act like embryonic stem cells)
- Umbilical Cord Cells (Often used in treating blood-related disorders like Leukemia)
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
- Stem Cell Therapy is a medical treatment in which stem cells are used to repair, replace, or regenerate damaged cells, tissues, or organs in the human body.
- As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (2021), stem cell therapy is recognised as standard treatment only for hematological disorders.
Source: TH
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