A new method of classifying humans using molecular markers based on the ancient concept of Ayurvedic biology is underway through the ‘Taskforce in Ayurvedic Biology’ set up under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, since 2011.
This was disclosed by chairman of the taskforce Dr M S Valiathan, who was here on Friday to dedicate the Advanced Centre for Bio-separation technology at VIT University.
After a career as a cardiac surgeon that spanned over 30 years, he switched to Ayurveda to understand its focus on well-being as a way of life. He is presently heading the taskforce to promote the application of basic sciences in the investigation of Ayurvedic concepts, procedures and products, and nurture the discipline of Ayurvedic Biology.
“In Ayurveda, physical, mental and behavioural traits of humans are classified in a subtle manner, in addition to predisposition to diseases, course of disease, and response to treatment,” he said. The taskforce had initiated an inter-disciplinary approach to understand some of these concepts, he added. “Three important projects were being funded by the taskforce and one of them recently found a set of patterns corresponding to the Ayurvedic classification of humans on the basis on vaada, pitta and kapha, using molecular markers,” he pointed out.
Another team of researchers were working on Ayurvedic ‘rasayana’ with regard to cardiac hypertrophy. “While a large part of Ayurveda is not testable, we are trying to find a biological basis for this ancient science,” he said. The taskforce is also trying to motivate youngsters to take up active research in Ayurveda, he added. If more research is promoted we will be masters in health sciences in the world and in the next 20 years, I foresee new inventions and newer research literature on this science from India,” Valiathan said. “We had a very rigorous technology in Ayurveda that was documented by some British officers who had witnessed nomads performing complicated surgeries,” he added.
On the emerging science of bio-technology and bio-separation, Valiathan pointed out that these fields had generated a lot of hope for the country to excel in the development of better diagnostic tools and therapeutic applications.
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