The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) is planning to set up a three-member committee comprising Dr AN Bhisey, ex-director, Cancer Research Institute, Mumbai; Dr Lalji Singh, director, CCMB, Hyderabad; and Dr SS Aggarwal to review the status of regulations, guidelines available and the progress made by the country in the field of stem cell research and present a report in next three months.

Dr RA Mashelkar, president of INSA and director general of CSIR, said, "Ethical guidelines are must for stem cell research and there should be a uniform policy that will direct the research activity in one direction."

Dr Mashelkar was at Hyderabad to attend the 71st anniversary general meeting of INSA held on December 27 and 28, 2005. A symposium on 'Stem Cell Research: Technological, Ethical and Social Issues' was held as part of the meeting.

In the 11th five year plan, due emphasis will be given to promoting and regulating stem cell research in India. Various models can be worked out to boost stem cell research activity in India and such possible models can be- investments made by private sector, government funding in research and public-private partnership model.

Countries that have flexible regulations for conducting embryonic cloning are Australia, Spain, Brazil France, Canada, Taiwan, whereas UK, Belgium, Sweden, Japan, Israel, Singapore, China and South Korea have permissive regulations. Countries that have been restrictive are the US, Italy and Germany, Norway and Poland.

One needs to discuss critical IPR issues in stem cells research. The guidelines framed by ICMR in 2002 are yet to reach enforcement stage. India has not moved forward yet. India need not become a super power in stem cell research, but it should step up efforts in the area to explore possible solutions for serious health concerns, Dr Mashelkar added.