New Delhi, Sep 18 - Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Friday urged the scientists to tap the potential of therapeutic cloning to heal and regenerate damaged body parts and find treatment for complex medical problems.

'Although India remains totally opposed to reproductive cloning owing to the doubtful nature of its safety, success utility and ethical acceptability, therapeutic cloning can be considered on case-to-case basis,' Azad said at an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) function.

He said the ICMR should 'play an active role in realizing the potential of stem cell research and its technology in modern therapeutic and regenerative medicine'.

'A draft of guidelines for stem cell research/regulation on regulatory aspects of stem cell research and its applications prepared by ICMR will be very useful in this regard,' Azad added.

V.M. Katoch, secretary for health research, told IANS: 'Therapeutic cloning is somewhat similar to stem cell research.