A general standard on research in stem cell technology was published in China on Wednesday.

The document introduces general requirements on screening of donors, tissue collection, cell separation and preservation, transportation and detection of stem cells.

The general requirements will safeguard the interest of donors and promote standardized development of the sector, according to Zhou Qi, head of the stem cell branch of the Chinese Society of Cell Biology, which led the compilation of the standard.

The standard will contribute to research on differentiation of stem cells, said Zhou, adding that a more detailed national standard will be published at a later date.