The Journal of Stem Cell Therapy and Transplantation (JSCTT) is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and transplantation science. Editors play a vital role in maintaining the journal’s integrity, ensuring fair and transparent decision-making, and promoting ethical research practices.

Ethics for Editors

1. Editorial Integrity and Independence

Editors must ensure that all manuscripts are evaluated solely on their scientific merit, innovation, and relevance to stem cell therapy and transplantation, without external influence.

• Impartiality: Editorial decisions must be free from bias related to authors' institutional affiliation, nationality, gender, or financial interests.
• Transparency: Editorial policies, peer review processes, and decision-making criteria should be clearly communicated to authors and reviewers.
• No External Influence: Editors must ensure that decisions are independent of commercial, political, or personal interests.

2. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Editors must protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and ensure ethical handling of sensitive research data.

• Manuscript Confidentiality: Editors should not disclose manuscript details to anyone outside the editorial and peer review process.
• Reviewer Anonymity: If using a double-blind review system, editors must ensure that author and reviewer identities remain confidential.
• Data Security: Unpublished research findings must not be used for personal research or unauthorized purposes.

3. Fair and Rigorous Peer Review

Editors are responsible for maintaining a robust, unbiased, and timely peer review process.

• Reviewer Selection: Editors must choose expert, independent reviewers with knowledge in stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and transplantation.
• Timeliness: Editors should ensure that peer review is conducted efficiently without unnecessary delays.
• Constructive Feedback: Editors must ensure that reviewer comments are professional, objective, and constructive to aid manuscript improvement.

4. Ethical Oversight and Research Integrity

Editors must ensure that all published research complies with the highest ethical standards, particularly in areas involving human stem cells, gene editing, and transplantation.

• Human and Animal Research Compliance: Studies involving human participants must have institutional ethical approval and informed consent. Research involving animals must follow humane treatment protocols.
• Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Studies involving human embryonic stem cells must comply with national and international ethical regulations.
• Plagiarism and Data Integrity: Editors must ensure that manuscripts are screened for plagiarism, data fabrication, and image manipulation.

5. Conflict of Interest Management

Editors must identify and address conflicts of interest to preserve the credibility of the editorial process.

• Editorial Conflicts: Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a personal or professional conflict of interest.
• Author and Reviewer Disclosure: Editors must ensure that authors and reviewers disclose any financial, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest.
• Industry Sponsorship: Research funded by commercial entities must be transparently disclosed and evaluated without bias.

6. Post-Publication Corrections and Retractions

Editors must take corrective actions when errors, ethical concerns, or research misconduct are identified in published articles.

• Corrections: Minor errors should be addressed through errata or corrigenda.
• Retractions: Articles should be retracted in cases of scientific misconduct, falsified data, or ethical violations.
• Expression of Concern: If concerns arise but require further investigation, editors may issue an expression of concern.

7. Transparency and Accountability in Editorial Policies

Editors must ensure that journal policies and ethical guidelines are transparent and consistently applied.

• Clear Guidelines: Editorial and peer review policies must be publicly accessible and updated regularly.
• Handling Ethical Complaints: Editors must investigate and address ethical concerns raised by authors, reviewers, or readers fairly and transparently.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Editors should promote diversity in authorship, peer review selection, and editorial board representation.

8. Editorial Independence and Responsibility

The editorial team must ensure that all publication decisions are independent, objective, and focused on advancing stem cell and transplantation research.

• Independent Decision-Making: Editorial decisions must be based solely on scientific quality and relevance.
• Accountability: Editors must take responsibility for published content and address ethical concerns appropriately.
• Professional Conduct: Editors must engage with authors, reviewers, and editorial board members in a respectful and ethical manner.

By serving as an editor for the JSCTT, individuals commit to maintaining the highest ethical standards in publishing and upholding the integrity of research in stem cell therapy and transplantation. For any ethical concerns or clarifications regarding editorial responsibilities, editors are encouraged to contact the journal’s editorial office.