KARACHI, Feb 1: Realizing the importance of genetics as a subject, the University Grants Commission, on the directives of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, has decided to introduce the subject at graduation and post-graduation level in the country.

The National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC) for Genetics in a meeting last year had a prepared draft of a revised curriculum of genetics, which would be finalized in the final meeting of the NCRC in April.

NCRC chairman Nuzhat Ahmed, who is also the director of Centre for Molecular Genetics (CMG) Karachi University, said on Friday that the committee had also recommended the establishment of departments of genetics at all the public sector universities in the country. Currently, only Karachi University has a separate and independent genetics department, she revealed.

Dr. Nuzhat informed that Federal Ministry of Science of Technology had nominated her as the head of a 17-member NCRC for genetics and its members were selected from all the universities and institutes working on genetics.

The committee in its three-day meeting in November last had prepared draft of a uniform curriculum for B.Sc (Pass), B.Sc (Honours) and Masters level.

“The members of committee also recommended to the UGC to establish departments of genetics at all public sector universities,” she informed and added that they would also try to seek approval for induction of genetics in the courses of medical colleges.

She opined that despite knowing the importance of genetics, the concerned officials always neglected this subject and said there was a need for introducing it at all the colleges, universities and for medical students.

“Genetic problems are vary common in the country owing to inter-breeding, cousin marriages and widespread pollution but unfortunately our physicians give least importance to this subject,” she maintained. —PPI