Doctor injecting patients with stem cells

TORONTO, July 28 (UPI) -- At least four Canadians have gone to India seeking cures through the unsanctioned injection of fresh stem cells into their bodies, medical officials say.

They visit NuTech MediWorld, a New Delhi clinic run by Greeta Shroff, who has been offering her unorthodox treatment for medically deficient limbs since 2002, the Toronto Star reported Monday.

"I think what she is doing is potentially dangerous ... and I would have serious doubts about the quality and safety of the cells she is using," Stephen Minger, senior lecturer at the Stem Cell Biology Laboratory at London's King's College, told the Star in an e-mail.

Many countries have moratoriums on human embryonic stem cell research or the production of new human embryonic stem cell lines because of ethical or legal issues.

"There are no shortcuts in science," said Dr. R.K. Mani, head of the pulmonology department at Fortis Hospital in New Delhi. "Everything must pass through the rigor of scientific scrutiny."

But Shroff told the Star she and her partner don't agree with waiting.

"I have a vision that (embryonic stem cell therapy) will become the first line of therapy for the so-called terminal illnesses," Shroff said. "It should be available immediately."