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Stem cell research has appeared as a silver lining of hope over the dark cloud of some untreatable diseases like cancer and certain neurological disorders. Embryonic stem cells, thetabula rasa , holds much promise in this regard owing to its totipotency, howbeit, it has whirled a severe tempest all over the world on the point of humanity. The present review article includes the chronology of stem cell research with special reference to the techniques that were evolved in due course of research, the controversy over the application of embryonic stem cells for therapeutics and present status of stem cell research under Indian context. India is being increasingly alluring the foreign companies to invest in this project since a huge prospect in stem cell marketing business is foreseen in this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cells research is emerging as a new domain of biomedical research in India that has the potential to offer therapeutic options for noncurable disease like Parkinsonism, diabetes and injuries. However like other scientific programme, stem cells research programme has created many scientific controversies and has raised social, legal and ethical issues, thus creating challenges for regulatory bodies, policy makers and scientists for making a uniform guideline in view of potential application of stem cell research and development of advance center for research activities. An open dialogue between the scientific community, physicians, patients and their advocates, lawmakers, and the lay population should be done to raise and address important ethical and legal issues and to balance the benefits and risks associated with stem cell Research and Therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports that India is tightening regulations on research on human embryonic stem cells to prepare for research within the country as well as possible international projects that might involve embryonic material from India. National bioethics panel formed to draft guidelines for the collection and use of embryonic stem cells; Concern that India could become a major source of embryonic stem cells since there is almost no public or religious debate on abortion.

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The article presents the results of bibliometric analysis of published stem cell research between 1999 and 2008. The study's goals and methodology are described, and an overview of the aims and methodology of bibliometrics is presented. The author's emphasis on the importance of stem cell research and the usefulness of the study for highlighting what research has been done is commented on, and findings including the primacy of the U.S., England, and the Netherlands in stem cell research and India's substantial contributions among developing countries are discussed.

IVF clinics have emerged and are proliferating even in small towns of India. There is hardly any regulation or oversight regarding what happens to 'surplus' ova and embryos, the potential raw material for embryonic stem cell research. India is an emerging economy where both public and private initiatives in stem cell research exist and are proliferating. There is a lack of transparency regarding the supply of stem cells required for research. Based on empirical research, the article provides insight into the practices and policy relating to the appropriation of human ova/embryos by IVF clinics and health (research) institutions. It also investigates the regulatory structures to govern procurement and ownership of ova/embryos, and whether they are likely to be adequate and effective. It concludes that the existing guidelines are not binding, lack legislative authority and adequate monitoring mechanisms, leaving the practice in IVF clinics to self-regulation. This creates a potential for exploitation of ova/embryo donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A by-product of India's growing preoccupation with new biomedical and pharmaceutical technologies (“biotech India”) has been its growing profile as a center for medical tourism, including the largely unregulated field of stem cells in the treatment of a variety of disorders. As a result, some Indian clinicians are using untested stem cell therapies without appropriate ethical approval to further scientific knowledge in this contentious field. Guidance on informed consent is often de-contextualized from practice, and can result in it becoming a ritualized formality. It appears that, in the case of India, such guidance is not well established or closely followed. Various dimensions of class, gender, kinship and education are potential sites in India for exploitation in the sourcing of embryonic and other biogenetic materials, and must pose serious concerns about provenance. Together these contribute to social and political complexity in Indian embryonic stem cell research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last three to four years, an increasing number of private and public sector tertiary level hospitals and research centres in India have been using stem cell therapy, especially adult stem cell therapy, in the guise of experimental therapy for a variety of medical conditions. The promotion and growth of this experimental field across local and national borders traverses regulatory, ethical, social and financial boundaries. In this complex context, the article examines how healthcare centres in India negotiate bio-medical and health care circumstances in promoting a therapy that raises questionable medical, technical and ethical issues. The process of promoting experimental stem cell therapy is explained here by employing the concept of bionetworking and illustrated by two case studies of hospital groups. The case studies show how through bionetworking a centre creates and maintains novel networks of mutual exchanges with other collaborative bodies situated in local, national and global relations of inequality. Drawing on a three-month period of fieldwork and interviews in various locations in India, this article shows that: (1) Questionable stem cell therapy is promoted through bionetworks that resonate across local, national and global constellations; (2) Regulatory gaps facilitate the growth of such therapeutic practices; (3) The experimental stem cell therapies augment the healthcare divide in Indian society; (4) The weakening Indian state facilitates commercialisation of health, indirectly supporting the 'bionetworking' practices of therapy providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cell therapy is applicable for repair and replacement of damaged cells and tissues. Apart from transplanting cells to the body, the stem cell therapy directs them to grow new and healthy tissues. Stem cells in the area of regenerative medicines hold tremendous promise that may help to regenerate the damaged tissues and heal various diseases like multiple sclerosis, heart diseases, Parkinson's disease, and so on. To prove the safety, efficacy, and for the requirement of a licence for manufacturing and sale, all the stem cell therapies should pass the required criteria and undergo certain examinations of the regulatory agencies. The regulatory authorities review the manufacturing procedures of products to assure its purity and potency. This review summarizes the comparative critical evaluations of existing regulations and developments on the stem cells research in India, USA, EU and Asian regions and also discusses the challenges that have to be overcome and the important points that should be understood to position India as a source of the perspective nation in stem cells around the world., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)