Q: I recently saw on TV about the treatment through stem cells. In Bangalore (Global Medical Research Centre) they are successfully using matured stem cells in the person with paralysis. My father has been diagnosed with ALS a year back. Should we go with the embryonic stem cell treatment? I know the drawback of embryonic stem cell can cause tumour in patients. But considering the ALS problems and the paralysis, I feel to go for the same. Please advise.

A:As per the ICMR guidelines, as of date, there is no approved indication for stem cell therapy as a part of routine medical practice, other than Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). Accordingly, all stem cell therapy other than BMT (for accepted indications) is treated as experimental. Institutions registered with the ICMR can enrol patients in clinical trials. You will need to contact the doctors doing so as they would be best placed to advise.