Express News Service
BENGALURU: While India is waging a virtual bio-war against the Covid virus, and positive cases are inching close to the 1-lakh mark, there is a critical hitch in Indias response so far: Dozens of private research and testing facilities, raring to work on understanding genetic sequencing and mutation patterns, are complaining that they are not able to procure the relevant viral genetic material (RNA/c-DNA) for the purpose of research. Understanding the virus better could help develop testing kits, vaccines or even pharmaceutical anti-virals, say researchers.
Dr Kunal Sharma, head of pathology and member of the Karnataka Covid Consultative Committee, and who is among those credited for starting fever clinics, expressed this frustration. It is more than two-and-half months since the Covid crisis is upon us, and many countries have been able to do better than us simply because of better synergy. Here, there are too many unnecessary restrictions. It is common knowledge that the viral genetic material, once extracted, poses no risk of transmission of the disease. It should be shared widely with appropriate research facilities as it cannot infect anyone, yet there are restrictions that this cannot be shared among research labs. We have lost a lot of precious time grappling with these restrictions.
Here is a sample of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) official rules: Kindly note that no sharing of sample with any organisation, no amplification of the virus in any cell culture and no sequencing of viral genome from any sample is to be done by any lab.Dr Prabhu Meghanathan, head, surgical pathology, Hybrinomics Life Sciences, explained, These guidelines come as a major hurdle in necessary scientific research to beat this pandemic. A better solution would be for governments to give approval to research facilities which meet government standards, to use genetic material for research on prevention or a cure. We are a research laboratory that would like to work on Covid-19. If the government places restrictions, research will be delayed.
Advocate KV Dhananjay, who practices in the Supreme Court and has been waging a battle to enable India fight Covid better, said, Mindless restrictions do not help anybody. While tiny nations like Israel and South Korea are doing a lot to fight Covid, our nation isnt doing much, though it has great potential. I am pained by the attitude of the bureaucracy, I have written to the ICMR and government of India asking for unnecessary restrictions to be removed so that research can be better directed to fight Covid. If genetic data about the virus is available, researchers can work on producing cheaper testing kits, vaccines or medicines.DyCM C N Ashwath Narayan said, We understand this issue and are aware of it. We will appoint a nodal officer to work with the Centre and labs, to help facilitate better flow of information.
View original post here:
Researchers hoping to work on Covid genetic material run into ICMR rules - The New Indian Express
- 001 Stem Cell Therapy: Age of Human Cell Engineering is Born [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2010]
- 002 Seattle Genetics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year 2011 Financial Results [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- 003 Seattle Genetics Loss Narrows; But Stock Down - Update [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- 004 Seattle Genetics: A Cancer Niche Too Small [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- 005 Seattle Genetics Announces Pivotal ADCETRIS™ (Brentuximab Vedotin) Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Published in Journal of ... [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2012]
- 006 Seattle Genetics Announces Data from Investigator Trial of ADCETRIS™ in Relapsed Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2012]
- 007 Seattle Genetics Highlights Updated Survival Data from ADCETRIS® Pivotal Trial in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory ... [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2012]
- 008 Zebrafish reveal promising mechanism for healing spinal cord injury [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2012]
- 009 Seattle Genetics Announces ADCETRIS® Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for Conditional Approval in European Union [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2012]
- 010 A Growth-Free Quarter -- and That's OK [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2012]
- 011 Seattle Genetics and Millennium Complete Enrollment in Phase III AETHERA Trial of ADCETRIS® for Post-Transplant ... [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- 012 Bernard Siegel to Deliver Keynote Addresses at Midwest Conference on Stem Cell Biology and Therapy and BioFlorida ... [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2012]
- 013 Seattle Genetics Announces ADCETRIS® Receives European Commission Conditional Marketing Authorization [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- 014 3 Things to Watch With Seattle Genetics [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- 015 Millennium and Seattle Genetics Initiate Global Phase 3 Clinical Trial of ADCETRIS® in Previously Untreated Advanced ... [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- 016 Seattle Genetics Announces ADCETRIS® Receives European Commission Conditional Marketing Authorization [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- 017 Millennium and Seattle Genetics Initiate Global Phase 3 Clinical Trial of ADCETRIS® in Previously Untreated Advanced ... [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- 018 Bernard Siegel - Aging: The Disease, The Cure, The Implications - Video [Last Updated On: November 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2012]
- 019 Catherine Malabou. Epigenetics and Plasticity. 2012 - Video [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2012]
- 020 Genetics Video Pluripotent Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2013]
- 021 Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) and the Regenerative Medicine Foundation (RMF) Announce Merger Plan - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2014]
- 022 Stem Cells: Tools for Human Genetics and Heart Regeneration - Video [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2014]
- 023 Chimera (genetics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2015]
- 024 DNA from the Beginning - An animated primer of 75 ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2015]
- 025 Inbreeding - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2015]
- 026 genetics | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2015]
- 027 What is DNA? - Genetics Home Reference [Last Updated On: July 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 13th, 2015]
- 028 Genetics of Colorectal Cancer - National Cancer Institute [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2015]
- 029 Genetics | The Biology Corner [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2015]
- 030 Mutation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2015]
- 031 Genetics Practice Problems - Biology [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2015]
- 032 Gregor Mendel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 14th, 2015]
- 033 What Is Genetics? (with pictures) - wiseGEEK [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- 034 Genetics - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- 035 Genetics and Genetic Disorders and Diseases - WebMD [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- 036 Genetics - Biology [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- 037 Home > Genetics | Yale School of Medicine [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- 038 Ology Genetics - AMNH [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- 039 Genetics: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- 040 Genetics of Skin Cancer - National Cancer Institute [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2015]
- 041 Genetics in Georgia | New Georgia Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2015]
- 042 Genetics | Learn Science at Scitable [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2015]
- 043 Genetics - B.S. - University of Georgia [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2015]
- 044 Genetic Counseling | Woman's Hospital | Baton Rouge, LA [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2015]
- 045 The History of the Highland Breed | Scottish Genetics [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 046 Population genetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 047 Genetics | Define Genetics at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 048 Human Genetics - Population Genetics [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 049 Department of Genetics at Washington University St. Louis [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 050 Genetics - Genetic inheritance - NHS Choices [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 051 Genetics, Breeding, & Animal Health : Home [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 052 STAR: Genetics - Home [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 053 Genetics | The Gruber Foundation [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 054 Learn Genetics Visually in 24 Hours by Rapid Learning [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 055 Interdepartmental Genetics Program | Kansas State University [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 056 Introduction to genetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 057 The Basics on Genes and Genetic Disorders - KidsHealth [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 058 Colloquium | Laboratory of Genetics | University of Wisconsin ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 059 Genetics News -- ScienceDaily [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 060 Laser Genetics - Night Vision, Green Lasers for Law ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 061 An Introduction to Genetics and Genetic Testing - KidsHealth [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 062 Genetics | Carolina.com [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 063 heredity | genetics | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 064 Genetic Counseling Center - Cupertino, CA - MedicineNet [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 065 Genetics - NHS Choices [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 066 Genetics - BIO410 - University of Phoenix [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 067 What kind of jobs can I get with a Genetics major? | Texas A ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 068 Genetics | Bioscience Topics | About Bioscience [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 069 The Genetics of Cancer - National Cancer Institute [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 070 UAB - SOM - Department of Genetics - UASOM Department of ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 071 Syllabus - Genetics [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 072 University of Wisconsin Laboratory of Genetics [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 073 Genetics (B.S.) | Degree Programs | Clemson University, South ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 074 Genetics Clinic - University of Iowa Children's Hospital [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 075 FlyBook! | Genetics [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 076 PLOS Genetics: A Peer-Reviewed Open-Access Journal [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 077 Human Genetics - The University of Chicago Medicine [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 078 Genetics flashcards | Quizlet [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 079 Overview | Department of Genetics | Albert Einstein College ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 080 Articles about Genetics - latimes [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]