(a) whether many clinics in the country are conducting embryonic stem cell therapy;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the embryonic stem cells for therapeutic use is restricted worldwide; and
(d) whether ICMR is conducting an enquiry regarding the use of the above stem cell therapy?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE(DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)
(a)&(b): The Indian Council of Medical Research, responsible for carrying research activities
in the areas of drug development, delivery techniques, diagnostics and devices,clinical trials
etc. has informed that they have not undertaken any study regarding centres involved in use of
embryonic stem cells for therapeutic purpose. Only NuTech Mediworld, Gautam Nagar,Delhi has
claimed using human embryonic stem cell for therapy in different clinical conditions.
(c): Use of embryonic stem cell for therapeutic purpose is restricted worldwide due to
complicated scientific,ethical, social and legal issues requiring extra care and expertise in
scientific and ethical evaluation of protocols.
(d): No, Sir. However, Council conducts need based site visits to centres involved in stem
cell research and therapy to review infrastructure and expertise.