Tech Pangs

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

Related Articles

Nokia unveils phones, services for emerging mktsSNIA India plans major initiatives for storage exp...Techies develop car with a mileage of 250 km/litre...Zensar chief new chairman of Nasscom

wide range of disease and disability. Scientists around the world are working on techniques to refine stem cell therapy. However, their use is mired in controversy. Some researchers fear that it is possible that stem cell therapy could pass viruses and other disease causing agents to people who receive cell transplants. In particular, there is concern that stem cells are currently cultivated using nutrients taken from animal sources, and that these could harbour diseases which could be passed on to humans. Some research has also raised the possibility that stem cells may turn cancerous.

“It must be understood that the treatment with stem cells in human diseases is still in the experimental stage and cannot be used in clinical service. However, it holds a great deal of promise for cure and amelioration of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, degenerative neurological diseases, certain types of muscle diseases, and rare metabolic disorders,” says Anoop Misra, director and head, department of diabetes and metabolic diseases, Fortis Hospitals. He adds: “Finally, as yet, until clear benefits are demonstrated with the use of cord blood stem cells, false hope should not be propagated to the patients.”