No stem cell act at the moment

The health ministry do not have plans to introduce a stem cell act at the moment, said the minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He said, the ministry's four guidelines on stem cell research sufficiently served as standards to which practitioners and scientists involved in stem cell research and therapy should adhere to, ensured patients were out of harm's way.

The guidelines would provide a framework for researchers, clinicians and companies involved in research, clinical trials and manufacture of stem cells, he noted.

"There is no stem cell act in this country. But the guidelines alone are sufficient to provide the grounds and ethical environment to carry out their work," Liow told reporters after launching the 1st National Stem Cell Congress here Monday.

The four guidelines are National Standards For Haemopoietic Stem Cell Therapy, National Standards For Cord Blood Banking and Transplantation, National Standards For Stem Cell Transplantation and Guidelines On Stem Cell Research and Therapy.