Government-Run Ethical Review Bodies Are Needed to Monitor Biotech Research
Participants of a seminar on bioethics and biosafety issues in biotechnology research have called for establishing ethical review committees to monitor research which involves human or animals, said a press release issued recently.
The seminar was organised by Department of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology here at campus of the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), in which participants focused on ethics of research in the field of biotechnology.
As the chief guest, Federal Education and Professional Training Secretary Muhammad Humayon noted that biotechnology was an essential field of science which is one of the most advancing fields of future. He said that biotechnology and its advancements would be a significant aspect of improvements in human health, natural balance and cure of disease.
He lauded IIUI for holding seminar on biotechnology research ethics and termed it as a useful and constructive activity. In his brief lecture on ethics in bio sciences, IIUI Rector Prof Dr Masoom Yasinzai stressed that functional ethical review committees must be established in the research centres where prerogative of life of humans and animals must be observed strictly.
“Alternative to animal testing must be a top priority of the bio-scientist
,” he said while urging to minimise the embryonic wastage. Dr Masoom said that it is an hour of advancement as the pace of progress in sciences has doubled and it’s a pre-requisite for development of nations to focus on key fields of science such as biotechnology. The event was also addressed by the experienced resource persons including biomedical services Director Sheikh Saqib, and National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS) President Aftab Ahmed.Dr. Shaheeh Shehzad, an Assistant Professor at IIUI and organiser of the event said on the occasion that life science research and biotechnology have offered great benefits globally in public health, agriculture and energy development, while same advances also generate safety and security risks.
She added that keeping in view the importance of topic, department of bioinformatics and biotechnology of varsity organised an event to raise awareness regarding bioethical and biosafety issues among young researchers.
The seminar was also attended by Dean Faculty of Basic and applied sciences, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sher, faculty members and a large number of the students.
