Abstract

In recent years, scientific observers and policy makers have recognized China as an emerging hub for stem cell research, along with South Korea and Singapore. Research centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Chonqing and Shenzhen have reportedly carried out stem cell research for several years in the fields of neural stem cells, cord blood stem cells as well as HES cell research, the concerns have been raised in China about the implementation of regulations. With these developments, guidelines and regulations have also been debated and passed in China to address some of the many ethical challenges surrounding this research. These have included the “Ethical Guiding Principles for Research on HES Cells” and “Administrative Measures on the Clinical Application of Medical Techniques.” But the concerns still especially relate to enforcement and compliance regarding the provision of ‘unproven’ stem cell treatments.