Call for a society responsible in its conduct

Islamabad

No matter how much we can do by ourselves at the national level whether it is research or development, it is never enough. Do more in the spirit of true cooperation! We in this region of the world need to nurture a society that is responsible in its conduct and is well aware about the recent trends in life sciences.

This was stated by Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Engr Muhammad Balighur Rehman addressing the ‘joint Pakistan-US workshop on strengthening and sustaining a network of public and animal health clinical laboratories in Pakistan’ here at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences on Tuesday.

The minister said many infectious diseases were critical in nature with the recent emergence of Congo virus a major example in this regard. He said it was gratifying to note that the agenda of the workshop covered a wide range of very important topics relating to safety and security of the clinical labs-both for humans and animals.

“There are concerns about the misuse of biological research and the concerned labs, so there are calls for education, engagement and awareness about biosafety and biosecurity at international forums,” he said.

The minister said the present situation coupled with recent advancements in life sciences had placed today’s scientists in a position similar to that of the atomic physicists of the early 19th century.

He said the research carried out in various areas of life sciences, especially in biotechnology, could have profound impacts on generations to come and therefore, countries had to think above their security challenges and move together to cope with these issues.

“We understand that it is an opportune time to renew contacts and discuss problems of mutual interest with delegates from a technologically advanced country,” he said.

The minister said he expected that the workshop would augment efforts to strengthen and sustain clinical laboratories in Pakistan through enhanced cooperation and coordination between the US and Pakistani experts.

“It’ll also provide an opportunity to share knowledge on challenges affecting laboratory performance and to seek ideas for providing sustainable laboratory network systems and training of the scientists and clinicians in the country,” he said.

The minister said his ministry was striving to cope up with the challenges in education and striving for a sound synergetic interaction among all the stakeholders.

“It is inspiring that the Pakistani scientists have identified novel genes for skin, deafness, intellectual disability and primary microcephaly. The research from these laboratories is published in high impact journals around the world. These findings are helping in disease prevention, early disease risk assessment, accurate early the diseases effectively,” he said.

The minister said with the growing fear of pandemic and epidemic infectious diseases, scientists were using biotechnology to develop new diagnostic tools for rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens.

He said biotechnology was also used extensively in the study of emerging infectious diseases. The minister said his ministry would offer full support and help to laboratories to become more effective and efficient in a safe and secure manner.

“I wish to see their responsible conduct and doing their business by practicing sound ethical principles,” he said. The event was attended by Pakistan Academy of Sciences president Dr. Anwar Nasim, Dr. Dave Franz of the US National Academy of Sciences, health expert Dr Zabta Shinwari and other experts from the US and Pakistan.