Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, Jan 3: “The higher educational institutions in India have been lagging behind in the field of research. Research is the result of combined elements such as infrastructure, dynamics, and vision,” said Fr Patrick Rodrigues, director, Father Muller Medical College.
Delivering the inaugural address at the four-day workshop on ‘Ethics in Biomedical Research’ at Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, on Thursday January 2, Fr Rodrigues added, “It is a fact revealed during the analysis on why Indian universities are missing in the list of top-ranked universities in the world.” The survey was conducted by world’s foremost educational rankings company recently.
The director further said that the existence of lack of research is also true in bio-medicine. “We have not made any progress and lack research,” he said and added that it should bring in a new awakening among the intelligent and scientists. “More dedication in research is needed,” he pointed out.
Commenting on the recent issues in research, Fr Rodrigues said, “Presently, many have come forward to encourage and invest in research. And medical research is one such area. In the past, due to greed, short sightedness, and selfishness, ethical research had lost its way. As a result, framework for research was drawn by adding more guidelines in clinical research.”
Dr Amar Jesani, editor, Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, said, “Scandals in medicine led to more rules and guidelines”. Dr Sudhakar Bangera, programme co-ordinator, Clinical Development Service Agency, said, “There is a downfall of clinical research in India.”
In his presidential address, Dr Sanjeev Rai, chief of medical services, said, “Earlier, case studies were used without the permission of the patients as the data was easily available. But, it is unethical. And, now ethical clearance is the procedure which is to be strictly followed to complete the research. It is true that when we apply ethics; we are tend to lose certain things.”
Dr Jayaprakash Alva, dean, FMMC, welcomed. Dr Sucheta Kurundkar, organizer, proposed the vote of thanks while co-ordinator Dr Pincy Palatty shared the dais.