Скачать или смотреть Supreme Court Rules Against Unproven Stem Cell Therapy for Autism: Malpractice Warning for Clinics

In a landmark 98-page judgment, the Supreme Court of India has clamped down on the "rampant promotion" and commercialization of unproven Stem Cell Therapy (SCT) for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A Bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan has ruled that such treatments cannot be demanded by patients as a matter of right and their administration outside of approved clinical trials constitutes medical malpractice.

Key Findings from the Judgment:


No Right to Unproven Treatment: The Court held that patient autonomy does not grant a right to demand treatments that lack "adequate information" and established scientific efficacy.


The Malpractice Ruling: Any administration of stem cells for ASD as a routine clinical service is now deemed unethical and a failure to meet the "reasonable standard of care".


Ethics over Commercial Gain: The Bench observed that clinics are exploiting the "implicit faith" of parents hoping for a "miraculous cure," leading to high-cost procedures with no proven benefits.


Mandatory Clinical Trials: Experimental stem cell use is permitted only within strictly monitored research settings or clinical trials approved by regulatory authorities.


Directive to Health Ministry: The Court has directed the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), to provide a solution for patients currently undergoing these therapies so they can be re-routed to legitimate clinical trials.

Case Citation: 2026 INSC 96 | Yash Charitable Trust & Ors. v Union of India & Ors.