India, Oct. 21 -- The Supreme Court directed the Union Health Ministry to clarify the regulatory framework for stem cell therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within six weeks.

The court reiterated that no new patients should receive stem cell therapy for ASD outside duly approved and monitored research or clinical trials.

- The Supreme Court gave states four months to complete the ground-truthing of wetlands and other waterbodies under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.

- The court noted that even nine years after the rules were introduced, states had failed to complete the exercise, including the identification and protection of smaller wetlands.

Stem cell therapy for autism

The Supreme Court on October 13...