On March 20, 2020, the Ministry of Heath informed Lok Sabha that ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has received several complaints on misuse of stem cell therapy.

Highlights

The National Apex Committee operating under the ministry is evaluating the complaints. The committee is to recommend actions against these complaints. The National Apex Committee for Stem Cell Research and Therapy examines technical, scientific, legal and social issues related to Stem Cell Research and therapy in Inia

What is the issue?

According to the National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research, there are no approved stem cell therapy other than Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). However, evidences have been submitted to ICMR that there are other advanced Stem Cell therapies being conducted in India though GoI is yet to bring upon approval for such technologies and therapies.

ICMR

The ICMR is the apex body for the formulation, promotion and coordination of biomedical research in the country. Currently, ICMR is the nodal agency that is looking after the control of Corona Virus and the guidelines to test the virus