Stem-cell research has had globally hi-profile supporters, including 'Superman' actor, the late Christopher Reeve. It has vocal detractors as well. But India expects to put its draft national guidelines on stem-cell research in public domain, to initiate a debate on contentious issues such as embryonic stem-cell research, a senior official with the Union Health Ministry said. Stem-cells are unspecialised cells that can be coaxed into developing like other cells in the body, such as the heart cells, brain and blood. Sections of the scientific community see such research providing a break-through in illnesses such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. However, embryonic stem-cell research evokes strong ethical debates, since cells are got from foetal tissues.