KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia had been successful in transplanting stem cell to treat worn-and-torn cartilage, a Malaysian official said on Thursday.

    Malaysian Health Minster Liow Tiong Lai said after launching the Stem Cell Research and Therapy Seminar that Malaysia was as advanced as other countries in terms of stem cell research and therapy.

    Citing the success story above, Liow said Malaysia was well ahead of the rest in some areas.

    The seminar was held at the Ampang Hospital located in the state of Selangor. Guidelines on stem cell research and therapy were also concurrently launched.

    Liow said Malaysia had established indications for stem cell therapy such as blood cancers like acute and chronic leukemias, solid organ cancers like lymphomas and germ cell tumors.

    Blood genetic disorders like thalassemias and immunodeficiency syndromes could be cured using stem cell too, added Liow.

    He said Malaysia would carry on with its stem cell research activities in view that stem cell transplant had held great promises for the treatment of many important diseases.

    As long as the country refrained from using stem cell to produce lives, there was no ethical issues involved, said Liow.

    There are questions raised about stem cell research especially when it is said that the cell can be used to produce lives.

    Liow assured that Malaysia's sole purpose of doing research on the cell was for treatment of diseases.

    He noted that stem cell treatments for heart failure, stroke, spinal cord injuries and organ failures were at the developmental stage.

    Clinical trials must be carried out to gain sufficient evidence to indicate safety, quality and efficacy, said Liow.

    Two guidelines and two standards were announced at the seminar on Thursday pertaining to stem cell research, serving as the rules for the involved players.

    The guidelines outlined the permissible sources of stem cells, prohibited types of research, standards researchers must adhere, as well as standard procedures of stem cell and blood processing and testing, said Liow.