AMRITSAR: The eminent geneticists who participated in the three-day Fifth International Symposium on Genetics, Health and Disease on “OMICS in 21st Century” have unanimously recommended that the genetic diagnostic in general is very poor especially in the developing countries.

Geneticists were of the view that, there was an urgent need to expedite the efforts to empower the medical education to promote awareness regarding the genetic diseases.

They resolved that active Centers for Genetic Counseling and Diagnostics for genetic diseases should be established throughout the developing countries under the patronage of the State and Central Governments so that the properly equipped laboratories with the state-of-the-art infrastructure are available.

This International Symposium organized by the Guru Nanak Dev University in collaboration with the Institute of Human Genetics, Berlin (Germany) and Department of Pediatrics, Brown University, USA concluded here today at the Guru Nanak Bhawan Auditorium. More than 400 delegates from India and abroad participated.

The distinguished human genetic scientists further recommended that laws at the State and Central Government levels should be formulated to mandate new born genetic screening and for counseling.

The learned scientists said the cooperation between the patient-parent organizations and the geneticist needs to be strengthened. The role of genetic factors in the life style diseases, such as diabetes also need to be further explored. They said more epidemiological studies also required to be undertaken and National Registries established. Thematic fertilization of genetic and genomic research with advances in stem cell therapy needs to be encouraged at the highest level for the welfare of the society.
     
In the afternoon, an Indo-German-Czech workshop on Down syndrome was also organized as part of the Symposium in which Prof. K. Sperling from Germany, Prof. Dr. J. Santavi from Czech Republic, Dr. Arun Mukherji and Dr. Ratna Puri presented their research advancements. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Jai Rup Singh welcomed these noted scientists.
     
Presenting their observations about the Symposium in the valedictory session, Prof. Karl Sperling from Germany and Prof. Surendra Sharma from USA said that the foreign delegates from 25 countries of the world have a wonderful exposure about the Indians and their culture. They congratulated the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Jai Rup Singh and his team for organizing this well planned and excellent Symposium on Genetics.