Astrophysical implications of the new measurements of the He-3(He-3,(2)p)He-4 cross section

We summarize the current status of the so-called "He-3 problem", and we dis cuss successes and failures of the two alternative solutions proposed so fa r to alleviate the inconsistencies between observational data and the predi ctions of theoretical models of Galactic chemical evolution. We examine the astrophysical implications of recent laboratory data on the He-3(He-3,2p)H e-4 cross section and present preliminary results of ongoing observational projects aimed at determining the abundance of 3He and the C-12/C-13 isotop ic ratio in Galactic planetary nebulae.