Regulatory system for stem cell need to be strengthened

Regulatory system for stem cell treatment need to be strengthened and people should be educated about the therapy, a top official said today. 

Assistant  director general of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Geeta Jotwani said stem cells have excited researchers and raised hopes of public because of their potential to relieve symptoms or treat many diseases.

They have become very promising areas of new advances in medicine, since they can replace the diseased cell in our body
in contrast to existing practice where diseased cells are treated with drugs and antibiotics, she added.

"However, stem cell research raises many ethical, legal, scientific and policy issues that are of concern to the policy makers and public at large.  As the research progresses and technologies advance, the regulatory system needs to be strengthened ,” she said.

In order to help public with a knowledge based decision on various aspects of stem cell research and therapy, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will  hold public consultation in Mumbai on February 20, she said.

ICMR and DBT are seeking opinion of different sections of people before it goes for legislation, she added.