Public debate on stem cell guideline to begin on Jan 30

In order to legislate the legally binding guidelines for stem cell research and therapy, the Centre will hold public debate across the country to receive views of all stakeholders.

"The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) evolved a legally binding guidelines for stem cell reserch and therapy for India in 2007, but has to be made into a legislation to enable appropriate enforcement to stop medical (therapy) and scientific frauds," said assistant director general of ICMR Dr Geeta Jotwani.

"Therefore, ICMR-DBT jointly arranged for public debate at four places in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai / Bangalore", she said at the two-day 'Brain Storming Session on Stem Cell Research in India' held at National Institute of Research in Reproductive Health here yesterday.

This process will help in curbing possible malpractices and fraud commited by medical practioners and researchers, she said.

The public debate will be held in Mumbai on January 30, while in other places, it would be held between February and April, Jotwani said.

The public debate is being taken up at a time when several tall claims are made by few private and public institutions about stem cell therapy cure.