Question : TREATMENT BY STEM CELLS



(a) whether Government has received representations regarding the medical treatment of spine chord injured the persons by stem cell process;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the progress made in providing stem cell treatment in the country?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI S. GANDHISELVAN)

(a)&(b): Yes, Government has received representation from a group of international patients suffering from terminal and incurable conditions who have received human embryonic stem cell treatment in Delhi. Among those there are patients who had suffered from spinal injury and were treated by stem cell therapy.

(c) Stem Cell Research/Therapy in still in its infancy, other than Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) for haematological cancers / disorders. Stem cell therapy for other conditions is considered experimental/ investiagational. Hence, as per the Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Therapy issued jointly by Indian Council of Medical Research and Department of Biotechnology, the embryonic stem cell research falls under restricted area of research as it involves several ethical issues and needs close monitoring and approval from different committees.