BANGALORE: Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor Dr N Prabhu Dev stressed the importance of basic cytogenetic research and urged scientists to formulate gene therapy for genetic disorders like down’s syndrome, philadelphia syndrome and alzheimer’s disease. He was speaking at the All India Conference on Cytology and Genetics organised by Bangalore University and Society of Cytologists and Geneticists, India here on Monday.
He said that due to the less demand for pure science course among students, colleges were not keen on offering pure science.
“Unlike IT and business courses which guarantee jobs, it is not the same with pure science. Therefore, there is little demand for these subjects,” said Dr N Prabhu Dev. D H Shankar Murthy, chairman, Karnataka Legislative Council said that the cytogenetics was important in development of disease resistant varieties of crops plants, drought management, pest resistance and to combat genetic disorder in human beings.
Dr H A Ranganath, former vice-chancellor of Bangalore University, and Director of NAAC spoke on ‘Evolutionary cytogenetic studies on Drosophila- lessons and message’.
Dr S Mahadevan, professor, department of molecular reproduction, development and genetics, IISc, released abstracts and explained the relevance of cytological investigations in evolving new crop plants and other related crucial developments.