China's Ministry of Health on Monday outlined new requirements concerning stem cell collection and transplants, a move aimed at banning profits from illegal stem cell transplantation.

According to the regulations, the sources of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), or stem cells, must be legal, registered sources that can be traced.

The regulations aim to strengthen the management of stem cell collection and medical security, the ministry said.

The regulations also forbid the disclosure of stem cell donor data.

Stem cells, which are the body's master cells, circulate in the blood and in tissues. Stem cell transplants have proven effective in treating blood disorders including sickle-cell anemia and leukemia.

Further, the ministry will review the stem cell collecting and transplant capabilities of medical institutions. A list of approved institutions to carry out stem cell collection and transplants will be sent to the Chinese Marrow Donor Program, which serves as a databank.

Under the regulations, medical institutions must obtain letters of consent from donors before collecting stem cells and must test for diseases that spread through blood transmissions, including AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis and malignant tumors.

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2006)