Fraud reported in stem cell banks

Stem cells are the building blocks of life. Researchers are confident that the stem cell research will lead to treatments to wide variety of diseases and disorders such as: bone loss, broken bones, brain damage due to oxygen starvation, severe burns, cancer (some forms), diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis, incomplete bladder control, Huntington's, leukemia, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, stroke, etc, etc.. However, as it looks, the studies are in laboratory scale. Human trials in large numbers are required to employ the same as a routine mode of treatment. The cost of an effective stem cell treatment is going to cost a few lakh of rupees and the so-called embryonic stem cells require the destruction of embryo/fetus.

The ensuing public debate has prompted authorities around the world to seek regulatory frameworks and highlighted the fact that stem cell research represents a social and ethical challenge. Misuse of the unused embryos is matter of great concern. In US, Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee provides the necessary guidelines for the research. They address the many ethical, legal, scientific, and policy issues that are of concern to the public, and the scientific community. Finally, it may not come through at all beyond clinical trial stage. Millions of patients are going to be benefited by the research if it is accepted for use beyond the trial stage.

The stem cell banks are mushrooming world-wide. These banks offer to store stem cells from the umbilical cords of newborns for use later in life when illness strikes. However, there are a lot of uncertainties in this banking system. To begin with, the storage facilities need very low temperatures and maintaining such low temperature over large time periods (24x365x a few decades) can not be guaranteed. This seems to be an uncertain and unnecessary insurance. The cost involved is tremendously high. The banks are playing with the emotions of parents and persuading the parents to bank the umbilical cord stem cells. Already frauds are being reported in some countries in stem cell banking.

Governments should warn the public against such activities. Strict regulation is necessary to monitor the stem cell research and the working of such banking systems.