Hair cloning by 2012: Expert

World's first trichologist and the UK-based Stevens Trichology Practices Founder Dr Barry Stevens have said hair cloning may become a reality by 2012.

Discussing new technological advances in the field of trichology, he said ''new techiniques of hair follicle cloning will take trichology practices to a new level worldwide. The days are not far off when hair cloning can be done, with clinical experiments being in progress. It will arrive anywhere between 2009 and 2012.'' Talking to newspersons here yesterday, Dr Stevens said hair follicular cloning was a new technique of hair restoration where hair follicles were produced from the cells in dermal papilla. The cells in dermal papilla were surgically removed and subsequently cloned in a laboratory. Hundreds of these cloned cells were then injected into the balding area on the scalp.

He said various research findings had provided vital clues on hair disorders and its linkage to other diseases, including HIV/AIDS. ''Recent studies have shown that incidence of Seborrhoeic Dermatitis (a severe form of dandruff) among HIV patients was as high as 30 per cent, as compared to a mere three per cent amongst the general population. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis on the ears was often a presenting feature of AIDS...These interesting research findings have a great potential to revolutionise the entire Indian trichology industry,'' he added.

Dr Stevens, on a whirlwind tour of India, also conducted training sessions with the doctors at Dr Batra's Positive Health Clinic.

Dr Akshay Batra, the first Indian to qualify from the London Trichological Society as well as to receive its prestigious Robert Olding Award, said hair loss, particularly on the crown, indicated a threefold greater risk of heart disease in men.

UNI MSP GD SY KP0854

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