ISHG Secretary's Report: 2002
Report presented by: Dr V R Rao, Secretary, ISHG at the Inauguration of the 27th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Human Genetics at RGCBT., Trivandrum on 14th February 2002
Respected Chief Guest Honourable Shri Krishna Murthy, Chief Secretary, Govt of Kerala Dr R V Thampan, Director RGCBT, DR Jai Rup Singh, President, ISHG and Dr M R Das former Director, RGCBT. Ladies and Gentlemen and Friends, let me first wish you all a Happy valentines day. It is for the first time the society is having its meeting in the historic city Thiruvananthapuram, that too on a valentines day.
To me it is of utmost pleasure to be here and present to you a brief report on the activities of the Indian Society of Human Genetics. Before I present the activities of the society with utmost sorrow I must recollect the sad demise of Dr L D Sanghvi the founder President of the Society on the 12th September 2001. It was his vision that made it possible to form the society in 1971 and formally registered in 1973 with only 23 members. Now the society has a membership of more than 800, of which 600 are life members. The members belong to various fields of life sciences like medicine, biochemistry, molecular biology, physical anthropology, zoology etc.
The maiden objective of the society is to further the knowledge of Human Genetics in the country. To achieve this the society as a regular activity organizes Annual Conferences to bring together scientists from various parts of the country on a common platform to discuss and deliberate important problems relating to all aspects of Human Genetics. The society over the years has also brought published material on various aspects of Human Genetics in the form of modules, bibliographies and monographs. The modules on commonly occurring genetic disorders are particularly very popular and found to be very useful and handy by the young scholars.
As a measure to promote the knowledge of Human Genetics in this country the society has instituted young Scientist award in the field of Cytogenetics, Medical Genetics and population genetics. The awards in the form of certificate and a silver medal are given every year to young scholars who are required to contribute an original research paper, which will be assessed by three independent judges. The papers recommended for presentation will be presented in the young scientist award session, during the annual conference. This year we have 8 papers to be presented in the young scientist award session.
Another very important activity of the society is the prestigious Dr Sanghvi Oration, which is given to a senior human Geneticist in the country, ones in two years.
The society for that matter is instrumental for the last 27 years in the growth and awareness of Human Genetics in the country.
However in view of the recent developments in recombinant DNA technology which has revolutionized the field of genetics, the society has realized the importance of streamlining the level of research and maintenance of information and mechanism of dissemination of knowledge. In this respect the society has initiated steps to develop uniform curriculum for teaching methods in Human Genetics. The Society is striving hard to generate resources and funding to formulate a uniform format to record various genetic diseases and maintenance of information as genetic registers. This particular job is found to be very daunting in view of the vast population base and geographic area of the country. Nevertheless, the society by encouraging opening of local chapters envisages playing an important role in the future management of Human genetics services in the country.
The Indian Society of Human Genetics though consists of Governing Council and various categories of members, but the very existence of the society need to be considered as a MOMENTUM, to which we all need to contribute our might.
The Society is fortunate in having its 27th Annual Conference in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. I am sure that this conference will have a profound impact on all the participants and I welcome you all for an eventful deliberations in the next few days.
Lastly, on behalf of the Governing council and on behalf of the Indian Society of Human Genetics and on behalf of all of you, I thank Dr M R Das and his team for organizing the conference.
