The Hindu Business Line : INSA meet on stem cells in Hyderabad

STEM cells, the current subject of controversy and excitement in the scientific world, will be the focal theme for discussion at the two-day annual meeting of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), scheduled to be held here during December 27-28.

The meet is being jointly hosted by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular biology (CCMB), the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), the three national labs under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Stem cells are already making waves in medicine for their promises in finding cure for some debilitating diseases such as Parkinson's disease as well as raising hopes for alleviating human suffering from a range of deadly diseases.

Similarly, the research has raised several questions, including the recent controversy surrounding the claims by South Korean scientists.

The INSA meet will see scientists discussing some of the latest concepts, technical approaches, recent findings related to both embryonic and adult stem cells as well as associated socio-ethical problems.

The stem cells offer immense possibilities in human reconstruction therapy. The ability to clone both animals and possibly human beings is now made possible by the use of stem cells, besides tissue regeneration, genetic engineering and treatment of certain diseases.

On the other side, it has also raised social, ethical, legal, political, medical and religious issues.

INSA is organising a Symposium on Stem Cell Research: Technological, Ethical and Social Issues. Dr R.A. Mashelkar, Director-General, CSIR and the President of INSA will inaugurate the meet, Dr C.M. Habibullah of Deccan Medical College, Hyderabad will deliver the keynote address on "Stem Cells, clinical applications, the hype and hope and Dr Lalji Singh, Director, CCMB will also address. A number of scientists from India and abroad are expected to participate.