The Chinese Ministry of Health is tightening up regulation of stem cell cures. People are coming from all over the world to China for unproven stem cell therapies offered by as many as 150 hospitals. Failures could damage the reputation of the whole field. The Ministry has now classified all stem cell therapies as “category 3” medical technologies — those deemed "ethically problematic", "high risk" or "still in need of clinical verification".

Although the penalties for flouting these rules have not been published yet, offenders will probably be fined or have their license to practice medicine revoked. But in China, evading regulations is an art form. Some researchers worry that hospitals will slither around the regulations by labelling therapies as research, even if they are charging patients and not carrying out the rigorous monitoring required by clinical-trial protocols. ~ Nature, May 13