The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, inaugurated "The International Centre for Biomedical Sciences and Technology" in Chennai ( India ). 

President APJ Abdul Kalam on a visit to Chennai Saturday stressed the need for 'affordable medical technology' especially in the rural areas of India. 

The President's comments came at the inauguration of the International Centre for Biomedical Sciences and Technology (Research, Training and Applications) of Dr KM Cherian's Heart foundation and Frontier Lifeline Hospital in Chennai. 

On the issue of human cloning, he said, 'though I am against human cloning, I would like medical researchers to go in for cloning of various vital organs such as lungs and heart, which would be of great benefit to society'. 'Man should not disturb genetic engineering by going in for human cloning', he added. 

People from different castes and faiths should come to heart foundations to see for themselves that the 'anatomy' of hearts, either of a Hindu, a Muslim or a Christian are the same, he said. 

Pointing out that cardiac care was vital for Indians, Kalam said when three Indians were held hostage in Iraq recently, he had received a letter from Dr Cherian, which said he had treated 20 Iraqi children for complex cardiac problems, free of cost. President Kalam said the letter played a part in persuading Iraqi militants to free the hostages. 

The Centre, with its biomedical engineering capabilities, would undertake research in areas like stem cell, regenerative therapy, genetically engineered valves and clinical use of bovine jugular veins. While doing so, it will also focus on training and applications in biomedical sciences and technology, he added. 

Earlier, the President took a tour of wards, research units and operation theatres at the Frontier Lifeline Hospital. He also interacted with cardiologists and child patients from Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. 

Dr Cherian, chairman of the centre, in his comments said several research labs overseas were working to develop stem cells of plant origin which could be modified for use in human beings. 

'If found successful, heart diseases and diabetes can be eliminated by the year 2010. This will be a boon to India, since the country has the largest number of heart and diabetic patients in the world', he said. 

( Ref : http://newstodaynet.com/03oct/rf14.htm )