India is tightening regulations on research on human embryonic stem cells to prepare for research within the country as well as possible international projects that might involve embryonic material from India. This follows concern that India could emerge as a major source of embryonic stem cells as there is almost no public or religious debate on abortion, which is legal across India.
A national bioethics panel, set up by India's department of biotechnology, has drafted new guidelines for human genomics research that also cover rules for the collection and use of embryonic stem cells. The panel said that scientists may harvest human embryos for research before day 14 of gestation with the informed consent of the donor. All projects would have to be approved by the national bioethics panel, and researchers would have to share any commercial benefits that emerge from embryonic stem cell lines with the donor.
Senior officials say that the new rules draw on existing ethical guidelines from the Indian Council of Medical Research but that they will be enforceable.
“They have been approved by the law ministry and are intended to be legally binding,” said Dr Virender Vinayak, adviser for medical research in the department of biotechnology.
Two Indian research centres are among 10 worldwide named by the US National Institutes of Health as holding human stem cell lines that are eligible for US federal research funds.
Government officials have said they may need to regulate in vitro fertilisation clinics that are potential sources of embryonic stem cells.
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AP PHOTO/JAYANTA SAHA
Dr Firuza Parekh, founder and director of Reliance Life Science Research, Bombay, whose stem cell lines are approved by the US