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The 'National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research', issued recently by the union health ministry, has prohibited stem cell research in several areas including the research related to human germ line gene therapy and reproductive cloning; and clinical trials involving transfer of xenogeneic cells into a human host.

As per the guidelines, in the current state of scientific and technological understanding, research in stem cells is prohibited in areas related to human germ line gene therapy and reproductive cloning;in vitro culture of intact human embryos, regardless of the method of their derivation, beyond 14 days of fertilisation or formation of primitive streak, whichever is earlier; and clinical trials involving transfer of xenogeneic cells into a human host.

Besides, any clinical research on xenogeneic-human hybrids is also prohibited.   Other areas of prohibition include research involving implantation of human embryos (generated by any means) into uterus after in vitro manipulation, at any stage of development, in humans or primates; and breeding of animals in which any type of human stem cells have been introduced at any stage of development, and are likely to...