In the midst of controversy over the use of embryonic stem cells therapy for treatment, a private clinic on Wednesday claimed to have improved medical condition of 100 patients suffering from Alzheimer, paralysis and Parkinson's disease using the technique but government was cautious saying it would set up more operational guidelines for the area.
The claim by Nu tech Mediworld, a registered in vitro Fertilisation and Genetic Centre in Delhi, was made in the presence of Union Health Secretary P K Hota.
Former Chattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, who is one of the patients to have received the therapy for paralysis treatment, was also present on the occasion. However, the health secretary said, "My presence does not mean I support it....Human life should not be toyed with. We are worried...we will set up a system."
Government would work on improving the protocols on stem cell therapy, he said, adding, that the system would be developed under the leadership of Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Hota said since actual treatments using stem cells were in the offing, there was a need to have more detailed and operational guidelines and committees on stem cell therapy which work on dynamic basis to address the issues.
"We must propagate the stem cell research on right track. But we must admit that currently these are experimental things. No proven medical therapy using embryonic stem cells is available," he said, though making it clear that while good work should be promoted quackery should not be allowed.
"Particularly for invasive therapies we need procedures," Hota said.
A published record of the technique and compilation of the 100 case studies was also released on the occasion.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur was also present on the occasion.
Dr Geeta Shroff, director of Nu tech Mediworld, said research in the use of embryonic stem cells at the centre began in 2000 and 100 cases had been completed in five years.
"While these clinical case studies comprise a variety of disorders, incurable and terminal in nature, the most dramatic results have been achieved in paralysis, spinal injuries, genetic and autoimmune disorders," she said.
She claimed that all existing government guidelines were being followed in the use of stem cell therapy.
"We have been in touch with ICMR and submitted our protocol to ICMR. Details of all cases are sent to them before the therapy is started," she said. Currently, stem cell research falls under the purview of ICMR guidelines on bio-medical research and Department of Biotechnology's guidelines on stem cell research.
Asked about animal studies, she said these were not needed in this area.
Ajit Jogi, who was paralysed in an accident, praised the treatment saying there was a remarkable improvement in his condition. He said he felt benefits of the therapy immediately after the first shot of stem cells.