Denelle Brockhurst hopes overseas stem cell treatment will benefit her daughter Talia, 6. Source: News Limited

PARENTS of autistic children are pinning their hopes on controversial "stem cell" clinics in countries such as China, India and Germany.

Australian doctors and scientists are warning against the trend towards stem cell tourism, which costs patients up to $60,000.

But with autism, the most prevalent disorder affecting today's children, there are plenty of people willing to give it a go.

Sunshine Coast mum Denelle Brockhurst believes a better life for autistic daughter Talia, 6, could lie in the Wu Stem Cells Medical Center in Beijing.

The Chinese doctors claim they will inject human stem cells into the girl's body to help repair whatever is causing her severe autism and epilepsy.

Dr James Best, a GP who specialises in autism, said parents were being duped and exploited into wasting family resources on unproven therapies.

"Whether it (stem cell treatment for autism) works effectively, the answer is almost certainly 'no'," he said.

"Even the concept is really implausible."

There was also the danger of unregulated treatments being administered under questionable supervision and ethical standards.

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Parents risk all for better life