The Supreme Court has granted the Central Government four weeks to submit a detailed status report on the implementation of its earlier directions regarding stem cell therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The report must explain the steps taken so far and outline how the government plans to enforce the court’s directives.
Court Reiterates Stand on Unapproved Therapies
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan noted that the affidavit filed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare did not adequately address the court’s previous directions. Consequently, the bench sought a comprehensive compliance report and scheduled the matter for hearing after four weeks.
As per The Economic Times report, the case concerns the implementation of the Supreme Court’s January 30 judgment, which held that stem cell therapies for ASD cannot be offered as routine clinical treatment outside approved and monitored clinical trials.
Only Clinical Trials Permitted
The apex court had earlier ruled that administering stem cells to patients outside authorised clinical research is unethical and amounts to malpractice. The judgment followed concerns over the widespread promotion and commercial use of stem cell therapies for autism by several clinics across the country.
Directions to the Health Ministry
The court also directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in consultation with AIIMS and the National Medical Commission, to ensure that patients already undergoing such therapies are appropriately guided and, where necessary, shifted to approved institutions conducting clinical trials.