Srinagar, Oct 24: The two-day national seminar on “Law, Medicine and Ethics” organised by the Department of Law, School of Legal Studies, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) in collaboration with the Department of Islamic Studies, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora began at CUK’s Nowgam-I academic block here Tuesday.

CUK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj Ud Din Mir, IUST Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad Sidique, CUK Registrar, Prof. M. Afzal Zargar, Dean School of Legal Studies,

Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, seminar Coordinator and Assistant Professor, Ms. Gulafroz Jan, Deans of various Schools, Heads and Coordinators of Departments, senior functionaries of the university and students were also present on the occasion.

In his keynote address, Vice-Chancellor, IUST, Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad Sidique, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion and has expertise in the field of medicine, deliberated upon the seminar topic threadbare through a Power Point Presentation. He said that Law, Medicine and Ethics were being discussed from thousands of years and an oath is still being administered to doctors once they join their profession. He said this century has thrown up new challenges, with the advancement of technology and the role of ethics became more and more important with the changing technology. Prof. Sidique explained how genetic engineering could be advantageous in tackling the diseases diagnosed in the embryo of humans.

CUK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj-ud-Din Mir, said that the faith of patients on doctors has faded away, as several cases of alleged medical negligence have been brought into the courts for adjudication. He said that the handlers of new technology in medical profession have to be very well equipped. He also thanked the dignitaries present on the occasion and also pressed upon exchange of students and researchers between the two universities (CUK and IUST).

Registrar, Prof. M. Afzal Zargar, said that earlier these advances were limited to Science, but with the technological advancement, it has transferred into other sectors, in order to make the life of human beings better. He said that it has contributed significantly to unearth the crime.  “We can now identify the culprits within no time and that too by just a drop of blood.”

In his welcome address, Dean School of Legal Studies, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain said that new technology has created many challenges, which has forced us to deliberate upon such issues. He said that around 55 papers from Scholars, Professionals, Medical practitioners were received by the department from across the country, adding that the seminar is spread over ten technical sessions and one panel discussion.

Seminar Coordinator and Assistant Professor, Ms Gulafroz Jan while conducting the programme proceedings said that some of the prominent themes that will be discussed in the technical sessions are: Surrogacy & Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Euthanasia: Ethico-Legal Debates, Medical Ethics: Islamic Perspectives, Criminal Investigation: Law & Ethics and Drug Abuse: Law & Ethics.