The Journal of Stem Cell Therapy and Transplantation (JSCTT) is dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards in publishing. The journal adheres to the principles set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and other recognized ethical guidelines to ensure the integrity and credibility of published research.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to JSCTT must adhere to the following ethical guidelines:

• Originality and Plagiarism: All submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited.
• Data Integrity: Research data must be accurately presented without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate manipulation.
• Authorship and Contributions: Only individuals who have made substantial contributions to the research should be listed as authors. Guest, honorary, or ghost authorship is not permitted.
• Ethical Approvals: Research involving human stem cells, gene editing, or transplantation must have been conducted in accordance with institutional and national ethical guidelines.
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Authors must disclose any financial or personal interests that could influence the research.
• Corrections and Retractions: Authors must notify the journal of any errors discovered post-publication and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and integrity of research published in JSCTT. Reviewers are expected to:

• Maintain Confidentiality: Manuscripts and review details must not be shared or discussed outside the review process.
• Provide Objective and Constructive Feedback: Reviews should be impartial, based on scientific merit, and aimed at improving the manuscript.
• Identify Ethical Concerns: Reviewers should report any suspected plagiarism, data manipulation, or ethical violations.
• Declare Conflicts of Interest: If a reviewer has a conflict of interest with the authors or the research, they must notify the editorial office.
• Adhere to Deadlines: Timely reviews ensure a smooth editorial process.

Responsibilities of Editors

The editorial team of JSCTT ensures that ethical publishing practices are upheld. Editors are responsible for:

• Ensuring Fair and Transparent Peer Review: Editorial decisions are based solely on scientific quality and relevance.
• Maintaining Confidentiality: Editors must not disclose any manuscript information to unauthorized individuals.
• Investigating Ethical Concerns: Any cases of research misconduct, plagiarism, or conflicts of interest will be thoroughly investigated.
• Issuing Retractions and Corrections: If errors or ethical violations are identified post-publication, appropriate measures will be taken.

Ethical Considerations in Stem Cell Research

Given the sensitive nature of stem cell research, authors must adhere to additional ethical requirements:

• Human Stem Cell Research: Studies involving human embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells must comply with national and international ethical regulations.
• Animal Research Ethics: Experiments involving animals must follow institutional and governmental ethical guidelines.
• Informed Consent: Clinical studies must obtain informed consent from participants or donors.

Addressing Research Misconduct

JSCTT has a zero-tolerance policy for research misconduct, including plagiarism, data falsification, and ethical violations. If misconduct is suspected:

• The editorial team will initiate a thorough investigation.
• If misconduct is confirmed, actions such as manuscript rejection, retraction, or reporting to the author's institution will be taken.
• Serious ethical violations may result in blacklisting from future submissions.

Maintaining ethical standards in stem cell research is critical to advancing knowledge and medical therapies. JSCTT is committed to fostering a responsible and transparent scientific environment.

For ethical concerns, please contact the editorial office at [email protected].