Editorial

There was a lot of opposition to stem cell research even in U.S.A., based on moral grounds. This is because of the various sources for the stem cell collection for human beings.

Now stem cell research has arrived. There is at least one field where stem cell research has absolutely no objection. It is in the field of the plant kingdom.

Hybridization and grafting had been very successfully used on a mass scale. Thanks to the pioneers of IARI and the many unknown village 'scientists' who have created many new types of mangoes and vegetables.

The science of stem-cell research is highly sophisticated. The full processes of this method and propagation and marketing is advocated by many of our television channels in agricultural extension and information programmes and Indian scientists are successfully taking the results to the farmers. Banana is a very important crop in the world, particularly in India. But the Taste for a special variety is developed in certain places and production is insufficient.

Normally a single plant gives three or four sapplings maximum. The stem cell method has revolutionised the whole system.  A single plant which gives the best variety can be used to supply a

thousand plant sapplings. Even in a particular variety, one can choose the best plant and use it for propagation.

The process is highly sophisticated. Initiation, multiplication, shooting and rooting, primary hardening in green houses and secondary hardening in shade houses are the most important steps. The whole process is like the clinical processes in the hospitals. Strict adherence lo clinical cleanliness with no contamination, organic or inorganic is followed. During the earlier processes, micro-controlled climatic condition have to be created.

When the sapplings reach the farmer, who is guided to grow them, one gets the best tasting fruits, of uniform quality as if the whole plantation is made of clones. Yes, this is cloning. The sky is the limit to the students of biology regarding careers. From agriculture to food processing, apart from medicine, the whole field is open. Are you ready?