The Netherlands bans private stem cell therapy

Abstract

The Dutch government has banned the “clinical application” of controversial stem cell therapy being offered by private clinics in the Netherlands for conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. The ban has been imposed as part of a new regulation on the transplantation of stem cells governing the way in which they are used to regenerate different tissue and organs—for example, in the heart, liver, or kidneys. The ministry of health describes such therapy as “promising,” with “possible applications” in the future for Parkinson's …