Concern over ES cell treatment claims

News that an Indian clinic is offering treatments based on human embryonic stem cells (ES cells) has triggered calls for tighter regulation in the country, the UK's Guardian newspaper reports. Scientist Geeta Shroff, head of the Delhi-based Nu Tech Mediworld Clinic, claims to have treated over 100 patients with injections of human ES cells. However, UK scientists have labelled the work dangerous, and have called for proper oversight of the field by the Indian government.

According to the Guardian, Dr Shroff would not discuss how the stem cells are purified or tested, although she points to the testimony of satisfied patients as proof that the approach works. Poonam Singh, paralysed from the waist down after contracting Tuberculosis (TB - tubercle bacillus) - of the spine 11 years ago, believes her condition has improved after a month of injections. 'I can sit up, feel sensation in my legs. I could not lift my legs, now I can take a few steps', she said. And Jaspal Toor, a Briton with motor neuron disease, also says her condition has improved after paying £2000 for a year's treatment.

However, UK-based stem cell expert Stephen Minger, of King's College London, called the claims 'highly implausible and frankly downright dangerous'. He added that if the Indian government wants to promote stem cell research 'then it needs to seriously look at regulation of these doctors and if necessary close them down'. Simon Best, of the UK BioIndustry Association agreed, saying 'this work needs proper oversight because people's lives are at stake'. He said that putting in undifferentiated stem cells into people's bodies carries a serious risk of tumours and cancer.

Prasanna Hota, of India's health ministry, said: 'We have concerns and worries about Dr Shroff's work'. But Dr Shroff said that her work falls within India's guidelines, and that she has notified the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) of everything she has done - although the ICMR said it had been informed of the research but had not given consent. A spokesman for the organisation said that according to draft guidelines, stem cell research should only be undertaken once approved by an expert advisory group. 'Stem cell research is still in an experimental stage the world over', he said, adding 'initially there can be some improvement but follow-up studies have to be done to substantiate whether it is efficacious'.