Nearly four years after issuing the guidelines for stem cell research regulation prescribing stringent procedures for sourcing and use of stem cells by research institutions in the country, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will hold its fourth 'public consultation' on the guidelines in Delhi on December 17 to evolve a consensus on the document among the various stakeholders like patient groups, clinicians, scientists, NGOs, religious groups, media, social groups, biotech companies, pharma companies, etc.

The ICMR and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) jointly had formulated Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Therapy in the year 2007 providing ethical and scientific directions to scientists and clinicians working in the field. The ICMR's intervention in the issue comes in the backdrop of the feeling in the government that 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.

To evolve a consensus on the guidelines among various stakeholders, the ICMR had embarked on a 'public consultation' as the union health ministry,   after issuing the guidelines in 2007, 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.

The first such 'public consultation' was held in Mumbai on February 20 last year and the second one was held in Bangalore on April 10 last year covering all the southern states in the country. The third 'public consultation' was organised in Kolkata on April 17 last year covering the eastern region including the states of West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

The fourth and the final 'public consultation' will be held at Chinmaya Mission Auditorium, Lodi Rd, New Delhi between 10:30 am to 4:00 pm on December 17 covering the northern region including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir.

The guidelines on stem cell 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.