The
Delhi High Court on Thursday allowed two children suffering from autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) to undergo stem cell therapy for treatment of their
condition.
The
family members of the two children had approached the high court earlier this
year with a petition after their treatment was stopped by their doctors on
account of a recommendation by the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB)
of National Medical Commission (NMC), which said the use of stem cell therapy
shall amount to professional misconduct.
A
bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma said there was no law
banning the use of stem cell therapy for ASD and even the NMC is yet to take a
final decision on the recommendation.
"No
fruitful purpose would be served by stopping the treatment that is going on at
present and therefore the petitioners are permitted to continue the
treatment," the bench, also comprising Justice Sanjeev Narula, said.
Listing
the matter for further hearing on October 3, the court also asked the NMC to
take a final decision on the recommendation.
"This
is an interim order. We don't want treatment to stop right now," the court
said.