Delhi High Court has granted permission for two children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to continue undergoing stem cell therapy, despite a recommendation against its use by the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC). The court ruling addresses the immediate situation but also raises questions about the potential benefits and risks of using stem cell therapy for ASD.
Stem cells, with their regenerative properties, hold promise in medicine, but their application remains experimental. While some experts believe stem cell therapy could regulate the immune system and neural connectivity in ASD cases, the EMRB’s recommendation highlights the lack of sufficient evidence and established protocols. The court’s decision does not provide a general validation for stem cell therapy in ASD but emphasizes that the NMC can further assess the matter.