China's Ministry of Health on Monday outlined new requirements
concerning stem cell collection and transplants, a move aimed at
banning profits from illegal stem cell transplantation.
According to the regulations, the sources of peripheral blood
stem cells (PBSC), or stem cells, must be legal, registered sources
that can be traced.
The regulations aim to strengthen the management of stem cell
collection and medical security, the ministry said.
The regulations also forbid the disclosure of stem cell donor
data.
Stem cells, which are the body's master cells, circulate in the
blood and in tissues. Stem cell transplants have proven effective
in treating blood disorders including sickle-cell anemia and
leukemia.
Further, the ministry will review the stem cell collecting and
transplant capabilities of medical institutions. A list of approved
institutions to carry out stem cell collection and transplants will
be sent to the Chinese Marrow Donor Program, which serves as a
databank.
Under the regulations, medical institutions must obtain letters
of consent from donors before collecting stem cells and must test
for diseases that spread through blood transmissions, including
AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis and malignant tumors.
(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2006)