Despite the fact that militancy related incidents continue with scores of militants getting killed in encounters and the separatists calling for shutdowns which paralyses normal life emphasis is being given on research oriented schemes. For the first time four prominent universities have been sanctioned a major research funding project of Rs. 9.5 crores. This amount is to be spent on establishment of a multi-institutional centre for advance research in human reproductive biology by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The Indian Council of Medical Research is an apex body for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research in India. The Lead Investigators of the Centre include, Professor Raies A. Qadri, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Dr. Rakesh Kumar from School of Biotechnology, SMVDU, Katra; Professor Manoj K. Dhar, School of Biotechnology & Institute of Human Genetics (presently Vice Chancellor), University of Jammu; and Dr. Audesh Bhat from Center of Molecular Biology, Central University of Jammu.
Speaking on the Occasion, Prof. Raies A. Qadri said there is no concrete data available in the public medical databases regarding the incidence of infertility in populations of Jammu and Kashmir. About 5-10% of women suffer from infertility in Kashmir Valley. Another report states that in Kashmir due to unknown medical conditions about 14% of women are unable to conceive and about 15.7 percent women at child bearing age will never have an offspring without clinical intervention. He further said that the research at centre will address these issues through molecular biological and immunological techniques. |
