Delhi clinic claims to treat 100 patients with embryonic stem cell therapy

Sapna Dogra - New Delhi

India does not have a protocol for stem cell research and embryonic stem cell research has been courting controversies the world over. But that has not stopped a private clinic in Delhi to practice embryonic stem cell therapy for treating patients suffering from a variety of disorders like paralysis, spinal injuries, genetic and auto-immune disorders and other diseases. Dr Geeta Shroff, a fertility expert, claimed to have treated over 100 patients using embryonic stem cell therapy. And who will doubt her when Congress party leader Ajit Jogi, who developed serious ailments after a road accident, says he owed his recovery to Dr Shroff. After the accident, Jogi could not stand, had problems breathing, had no control over his bladder and his ulcers were festering. “I received some shots from her and one after another, my organs made dramatic improvement”, he claims. Dr Shroff said she had used extra embryos generated by clinics, which offer test-tube baby services, as the source of the stem cells. “The results have been good. There has been no deterioration and no side effects,” she claims.

Health secretary, Prasanna Hota, who released a publication by Dr Shroff on stem cell therapy, however, said his presence doesn’t mean that he endorsed Dr Shroff’s claim. Yet, he promised government support for her research. He also said the government would expedite the processes of devising mechanisms, whereby legalities pertaining to such experiments could be addressed. Shroff said she had presented her work at international research conferences, and was now trying to get her work approved through peer-review process.