Indian Stem Cell Research Governance after dissolution of the National Apex Committee

The Government of India recently disbanded the National Apex Committee for Stem Cell Research and Therapy (NAC-SCRT). This decision followed expert and public consultations held last year and will significantly alter the review processes for human stem cell research in India. The NAC-SCRT played a crucial role in crafting and updating regulatory guidelines, fostering research and national discourse in human stem cell research, and defining safety and quality standards. The Institutional Ethics Committees are now being tasked to review stem cell research at the organisation level after due inclusion of two stem cell experts. The decision to merge regulatory frameworks is a welcome step, reflecting a dynamic regulatory landscape that is responsive to scientific advancements and aims to reduce the compliance burden. The effective implementation of the revised mechanism, however, necessitates further clarity on which agency will now be responsible for tasks earlier mandated to NAC-SCRT.