To evolve consensus on the 'Guidelines for Stem Cell Research Regulation', the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will hold the third 'public consultation' on April 17 in Kolkata covering the eastern region including the states of West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The first such 'public consultation' was organised by the ICMR in Mumbai on February 20 and the second one is scheduled for April 10 in Bangalore.

The Guidelines, issued by the ICMR around two years back, was prepared for adult, cord blood and embryonic stem cells in response to the support provided by the government to facilitate stem cell research in India so as to improve understanding of human health and disease, and evolve strategies to treat serious diseases. Among several other things, the guidelines struck a severe blow against commercialization of human embryos for stem cell research by stipulating that termination of pregnancy should not be sought with a view to donate fetal tissue in return for possible financial or therapeutic benefits.

Senior ICMR officials said that the public consultations are being conducted in different parts of the country to generate consensus of important organizations and people of India on this document. Various stakeholders like patient groups, clinicians, scientists, NGOs, religious groups, media, social groups, biotech companies, pharma companies, etc will be invited for the 'public consultation'.

Evolving consensus on the document is important because even though stem cell research holds promise for improving health through regeneration and restoration of damaged organs by various injuries and disease, it also raises several ethical, legal and social issues. The ICMR and Department of Biotechnology had jointly formulated the Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Therapy (2007) providing ethical and scientific directions to scientists and clinicians working in the field.

The ICMR is conducting 'public consultations' at four different regions in the country as per the assurance given to Parliament. After issuing the guidelines in April 2008, the Union Health Ministry had given an assurance in Parliament about evolving a consensus among the various stakeholders on this important document which is aimed at preventing the exploitation of the gullible people by the unscrupulous elements in commercializing of human embryos for stem cell research. After the elaborate consultations, the ICMR, if needed, will make the necessary amendments in the guidelines.

The public consultation in Kolkata will be held at Dr Meghanand Saha Auditorium, Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Opp Jadhavpur Police Station, between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. The fourth and the final 'public consultation' for the northern region will be held in Delhi for which the date is yet to be finalised, ICMR officials said.