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STEM CELL RACKETS Wednesday, July 25, 2007 08:00 IST P A Francis Scientists world over have been exploring the therapeutic opportunities of stem cells for more than a decade now. Private and government laboratories in over a dozen countries including India have already established stem cell banks. Stem cells are blank cells obtained from human embryos or cord blood which can develop into a variety of cells in human body. Scientists believe that these cells can transform into any of human body's approximate 260 different cell types. Blank cells can develop into heart, muscle, brain, skin, bones or to any other body tissues. These diverse cell types could lead to new forms of treatment for many serious diseases that cannot be cured with modern medicines today. No country has, however, developed capability to make this medical technology commercially viable. But some private research institutes and medical practitioners in India have been, of late, claiming magical cures for fatal diseases and publicizing stem cell therapy openly. And gullible public is getting lured into such unethical activities of these institutes and individuals. Pharmabiz last week reported that a number of small hospitals and one-man clinics in Karnataka are found to be engaged in drawing stem cells from peripheral blood of patients and using them for treating certain diseases. As per the clinically approved practice, stem cells should not be drawn from peripheral blood. Doctors in these establishments are reportedly giving false hopes of a dramatic cure from stem cells and charging exorbitant fee. It is possible that such rackets in the name of stem cell therapy will come to light from other parts of the country as well. Laying down a set of rules for this emerging branch of medical research is urgent to prevent its unethical uses. Most countries do not have any regulatory framework at present. And exaggerated claims of curing certain diseases using stem cells are being increasingly made by private institutions in India and abroad. In India, the Central government had set up a high level committee to frame a policy for genomic research including stem cell technology five years ago. A draft guideline for stem cell research was then prepared by Indian Council of Medical Research and it is already there with the government. As per the draft, the Union health ministry was to set up a national regulatory system to monitor and sanction stem cell research programme in the country. But nothing much has happened after preparation of the draft five years ago. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health has also expressed its dissatisfaction over the continuing delay in formulation of a national policy for stem cell use. Half a dozen research institutes are already into serious stem cell research in the country. What all activities they are engaged in are not known to the government. Formulation of a stem cell policy and its enforcement of the necessary rules, is therefore extremely urgent to protect the general public from illegitimate uses of stem cells and fleecing. The Union health ministry needs to wake up and act without any further delay. Rayilyn Brown Board Member AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson's Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn