Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: The Delhi High Court has allowed two children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to undergo stem cell therapy for their condition.
- This is overturning a previous recommendation by the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) against the use of stem cell treatment for autism spectrum disorder.
- The EMRB recommended against the use of stem cell therapy for ASD due to concerns about “predatory marketing” and false hope, as well as the lack of a well-established protocol for its use.
About Stem Cells:
Stem cells are cells from which all other cells in the body, with specialized functions, are generated. There are two main categories: pluripotent stem cells, which can differentiate into any cell type in the adult body, and adult stem cells, which are tissue-specific and can only generate cells for a particular organ.
Stem cells have been used in medicine, particularly in regenerative medicine, for over 90 years. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, for instance, is used to treat conditions like leukaemia and lymphoma, where healthy stem cells are introduced to replace damaged cells.
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder affecting communication, behaviour, and learning. While there is no cure for ASD, various therapies are used to manage symptoms and improve the individual’s quality of life.
