Virtual autopsies may replace need for scalpels one day

Chicago: In the not-too-distance future, autopsies might be performed using computerised scanning rather that scalpels if research led by a Swiss forensic pathologist bears fruit.

The "virtual autospy" as envisioned and practised by Dr. Michael Thali and colleagues at the University of Bern's Institute of Forensic Medicine is a minimally invasive procedure that relies on high technology rather than sharp implements.

It offers advantages in criminal cases since bodies are not cut up and juries view computer simulations rather than photos of cadavers, Thali said Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.

"It does not destroy key forensic evidence," Thali said. "Also, when you present autopsy findings in a courtroom they can be very gruesome."

The new technology will also make autopsies on decomposed bodies considerably easier.

Thali said technicians use advanced CT scans to get an overview of the body, then follow that up with magnetic resonance imaging for details of organs, muscles and soft tissue.

Three dimensional surface scanning provides a picture of the outside of the body. All the images can then be merged on the computer, giving investigators a picture of the entire body that can be stored on a computer, e-mailed to others for a second opinion or even posted on a website, Thali said.

The technique, he said, could be used when family members feel squeamish about a traditional forbids it.

Dr. Edmund Donoghue, the Cook Country medical examiner, said pathologists already use imaging technology - generally X-rays - in some cases, but he was sceptical that virtual autopsy would replace the classic autopsy anytime soon.

"This combines two very costly imaging technologies. It's probably outside the reach of most medical examiner's offices at the current time," he said.

Also, he said, a full-body scan with MRI equipment takes up to three hours, and his office handles about 17 cases a day, meaning he would need several machines.

[The Times of India, Ahmedabad dated 09/12/2003]

India set to become a global hub

After information technology, bio-technology may be the next sector that the global market will identify India with. Bio-technology is not only proving to be of tremendous help to the agriculture sector, but, the pharmaceutical sector is also gearing up to match the global inclination towards bio-tech products.

According to a report by Ministry for Science and Technology, India is the second largest food producer after China, and thus offers a huge market for biotechnology products. Transgenics of rice, brassica, moonbean, pigeonpea, cotton, tomato and some vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower are already into field trials.

Some of these will be ready for large scale production by 2005. Protein-enriched wheat with a higher lysine content will be introduced in the farmer's field by 2003-2005. The nutraceuticals market is valued at Rs. 25000-30,000 million (US $532-638 million) at present, in a study by Ernst and young.

Genetically engineered seed market is estimated to be $250 million from a total seed market worth US $500 million in 2001. Marine resource development and aqua culture also hold great potential as India has more than 8000 kilometers of coastline.

On the other hand, the Indian pharmaceutical market is growing exponentially. In 1997, its value was a US $3 billion, and expected to rise to US $9 billion by the year 2005. A study by Mckinsey predicts an innovation - led growth of US $25 billion by 2010. Vaccine market in 2001 at US $100 million is growing at 20 per cent.

The year 2003 is expected to see the launch of Human Insulin, Streptokinase, other vaccines and diagnostics, Multinational like Monsanto, Pfizer, Unilever, Dupont, Bayer, EliLilly, Ranbaxy, Hoechst, Chiron-Boerhringer have set up their business in India.

Due to the rising costs of research and development abroad, companies from the US and Europe are looking for not only contract research in India but also either acquiring stake in smaller pharmaceutical companies or setting up joint ventures.

India also offers a suitable population for clinical trials because of its diverse gene pools covering a large number of diseases. The IT skill of Indian manpower also offer services in bioinformatics and data mining. 

"India is definitely going to be the global hub for bio-tech products in next few years, especially after the expiry of various patents in 2005." V K Jain, managing director of the company said. The company is in the process of acquiring a bio-technology unit in Pune and is also in the process of setting up research and development facilities for biotech and ayurvedic products at IMT Manesar, Gurgaon.

[Business Standard dated 03/12/2003]