China Halts Stem-Cell Trial Applications as Regulation Tightens

China will halt new applications for clinical trials of stem-cell products until July 1 as part of a year-long campaign to regulate the development of the industry, a Ministry of Health spokesman said.

The Ministry of Health and State Food and Drug Administration are overseeing the effort, Deng Haihua, the Ministry of Health’s spokesman, said in a webcast by China.com.cn posted on the government website today. Medical institutions that have approved studies under way shouldn’t alter them nor charge volunteers for tests, Deng said. Trials that haven’t been approved should be stopped, he said.