6th Natl Conf of Forum for Ethics Review Committees in India (FERCICON) of KMC Launched
Mangaluru: Biomedical research involves many inter-related disciplines and various stakeholders; like the investigators, the research participants, the sponsors, the pharmaceutical industry, regulators, student researchers and ethics committees. Each stakeholder faces a plethora of dilemmas, ethical and others, which need to be resolved by contemplation and consensus. There is need to unite all the stakeholders with diverse interests in a single forum. The FERCICON has been providing a platform for such consensus. Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru hosted the 6th National Conference of the Forum for Ethics Review Committees in India on 30th November and will end on 1st December 2018 (Today) at Dr TMA Pai International Convention Centre, M.G. Road, Mangaluru. The theme of the conference is ‘Dilemmas Challenging Ethics Committees and their Stakeholders’.
The inauguration of FERCICON 2018 held at Dr TMA Pai International Convention Centre at 4 pm on 30-11-2018, was presided over by Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal. Prof. S R Bhatt, Chairman Indian Council of Philosophical Research was the Chief Guest. Guests of honour were Dr V Surendra Shetty, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE Mangalore Campus, Dr Poornima Baliga, Pro Vice Chancellor Health Sciences, MAHE, Manipal and Dr Vasantha Muthuswamy, President, FERCI.
Dr M Venkatraya Prabhu, Dean KMC Mangalore and Organising Chairperson of FERCICON 2018 welcomed the gathering. Prof S R Bhatt, during his inaugural address, emphasized on incorporating Ethical principles from Ancient Ayurvedic Health Care System into the modern Medical Care. Also he explained the three aspects of Medical Ethics – Medical education, Medical research and Medical practice. He highlighted the need for researches in various AYUSH streams and regulation in terms of Medical Ethics in Research & Practice.
Dr H S Ballal explained the achievements of MAHE in the field of Education and Health Care in the 25 years of its existence and MAHE celebrating its Silver Jubilee. He also mentioned about the Institute of Eminence (IOE) being conferred to MAHE by the Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India. He announced the changes which will be introduced in the coming Medical Undergraduate Curriculum in terms of foundation program towards attitude and communication. Dr B Unnikrishnan, Associate Dean of KMC Mangalore and Organising Secretary of FERCICON 2018, delivered the vote of thanks to conclude the Inauguration ceremony
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Dr B Unnikrishnan – Associate Dean and Professor of Community Medicine, KMC Mangaluru – Chief Organizing Secretary of the Conference said, “This will be an academic feast with intellectuals from various fields converging at the Conference. There were two pre-conference workshops held on 29.11.2018, on the topics ‘Update on ICMR Ethical Guidelines 2017’ and ‘Incorporating Ethics in Medical Education Curriculum Ethical values are on the wane in the present day and we need to deliberate on this very crucial issue, especially in biomedical research; hence this conference was planned.
Also speaking Dr Prasanna Mithra – Associate Professor of Community Medicine, KMC Mangaluru, and in-charge of media said, “The conference is graced by stalwarts in the field of medical ethics from all over India. The key note address was delivered by Professor S. R. Bhatt, Chairman, Indian Council of Philosophical Research, Government of India, MHRD. The conference will see plenary sessions on the main theme of the Conference ‘Ethical dilemmas in Biomedical Research and Strategies to Overcome them’ which will be addressed by eminent personalities from the regulatory body (CDSCO), policy makers (ICMR), Clinical Research Organizations, Pharmaceutical Industry, academicians and ethics committees. The sub-themes of the conference include ‘Incorporating Ethics in the Medical Education Curriculum’ and ‘Accreditation of Ethics Committees’. This will also deliberate on Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Stem Cell Research, Ayurveda Research, Integrated Medical Research and Challenges faced in Paediatric Clinical Research”.
This conference is organized to commemorate the silver jubilee of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), of which Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru is a constituent unit. KMC, Mangaluru has grown as one of the finest medical colleges in the country. The college is an extremely committed teaching and research institution. Biomedical research is conducted right from the undergraduate level, and interdisciplinary and translational research works are being encouraged”.