In News: The Supreme Court of India has categorically prohibited medical practitioners from offering stem cell therapy (SCT) as a treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), citing lack of proven efficacy, safety concerns, and ethical violations.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
- A neurological and developmental disorder.
- Affects:
- Communication,
- Social interaction,
- Learning,
- Behaviour patterns.
What is Stem Cell Therapy (SCT)?
1Uses stem cells to treat diseases by regenerating or repairing tissues.
2Stem cells can self-renew and differentiate into specialized cell types.
3Standard, approved uses (ICMR 2021):
oHematological disorders: Leukemia, Lymphoma
oNeurodegenerative disorders: Parkinson’s Disease (limited, research stage)
4Advantages: Potential for targeted treatment, tissue regeneration, and addressing diseases with limited conventional therapies.
Ethical and Legal Concerns in Using SCT for ASD
Issue
Explanation
Lack of Proven Efficacy
No scientifically validated evidence supports SCT for ASD; not recommended by ICMR or NMC.
Unethical Commercial Use
Offering SCT as routine therapy violates medical ethics (Bolam test) and exploits patient vulnerability.
Consent Limitations
Patient autonomy (Article 21) does not extend to unproven, unsafe treatments.
Research-only Use
SCT permitted only in approved clinical trials with regulatory and ethical oversight.
Professional Misconduct
Promotion or advertisement of SCT for ASD amounts to professional misconduct under NMC norms.
Significance of the Judgment
1Protects patients from unsafe, unproven therapies.
2Reinforces ethical standards and professional accountability in medical practice.
3Aligns with constitutional right to health under Article 21 while balancing scientific prudence.
4Clarifies the distinction between research-only interventions and approved treatments.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
