New HHS rule: Blood stem cells aren’t for sale

October 4, 2013

The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a proposed rule that would include hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) acquired by apheresis under the definition of “human organ,” precluding payment for them. The agency says its aim is to make sure no one can profit from the sale of HSCs obtained by this method — particularly so that no one can exploit patients or force them into a donation — and to “encourage altruistic donations,” according to the proposed rule, which was published online in the Federal Register. (Med Page Today)