Medical experts have called for more effective regulation of stem cell treatments research, so that the cutting-edge technology for treating serious health conditions, such as cancers, Parkinson's disease and diabetes, could develop more healthily in China.

Medical professionals, government officials and businessmen recently discussed the challenges of China's stem cell research at a conference as part of the Global Healthcare Services of the China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services.

Stem cell treatment is an intervention that introduces stem cells to stimulate living and functional tissues to regenerate and repair dysfunctional tissue and organs in the body.

It has been a hot spot in medical research since the 1980s.

"Stem cell treatment research in China faces a dilemma. If the government loosens regulation, many illegal practices will occur," says Lu Shibi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

But if the government tightens the regulation, many research projects have to be suspended, explains Lu, also a famous orthopedic specialist who pioneers stem cell therapy research.

"That is because the current regulation issued by health authorities on stem cell therapy research is not up to date," Lu says.

In most countries, stem cell therapies and research are not being practiced at a clinical level, because of strict regulation of trials over safety and ethical concerns.

A most common unsolved side effect of stem cell treatment is tumors.

But, it is not a secret that there have been a lot of clinics and hospitals providing stem cell treatments to patients in China.

Such treatments have not been proven safe and efficient through strict clinical trials, says Han Zhongchao, president with Institute of Hematology under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.

Since May 2013, only top-level hospitals are entitled to apply for approval of stem cell treatment clinical trials, and such trials are free for patients involved.

But critics say there are no detailed standards on the qualification of trial performers and facilities in the ordinance.

Besides, new regulations do not address the dispute on whether stem cell treatments are drug therapies or medical technologies, which ultimately will decide which government department is responsible for the research.

"There are a lot of irresponsible researchers and institutes that abandon professional ethics and pursue only profits," Han say.

"But there are also a lot of researchers devoted to stem cell treatments research, because they want to help patients.

"We hope there will be more refined and effective regulation of stem cell treatments, to create a better environment for those devoted researchers."

liuzhihua@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 06/19/2013 page10)