KMC to Host 6th Natl Conference of Forum for Ethics Review Committees in India (FERCICON)
KMC to Host Sixth National Conference of Forum for Ethics Review Committees in India (FERCICON) at Dr TMA Pai International Convention Centre, Mangaluru on 30th Nov and 1st December.
Mangaluru: Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangaluru Press Club, Dr B Unnikrishnan – Associate Dean and Professor of Community Medicine, KMC Mangaluru – Chief Organizing Secretary of the Conference said, ” 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 will be hosting the 6th National Conference of the Forum for Ethics Review Committees in India on 30th November and 1st December 2018 at Dr TMA Pai International Convention Centre, M.G. Road, Mangalore. The theme of the conference is ‘Dilemmas Challenging Ethics Committees and their Stakeholders’.
“He further said, “This will be an academic feast with intellectuals from various fields converging at the Conference. The conference will also be preceded by two pre-conference workshops 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.”
Dr Prasanna Mithra – Associate Professor of Community Medicine, KMC Mangaluru, and in-charge of media said, “The conference will be graced by stalwarts in the field of medical ethics from all over India. The key note address will be delivered by Professor S. R. Bhatt, Chairman, Indian Council of Philosophical Research, Government of India, MHRD. There will be 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”.
Dr Animesh Jain – Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, KMC Mangaluru – Joint Organizing Secretary of the Conference said, ” This conference is also 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”.
Dr Rekha T – Associate Professor of Community Medicine, KMC Mangalore – Treasurer, and Dr Sheetal Ullal – Associate Professor of Pharmacology, KMC Mangaluru – Joint Organizing Secretary were also present on the dais during the press meet.