This is her style of celebrating Pakistan day........

Today is 23rd March 2010, Pakistan day celebrations and a public holiday in entire country. Everyone(according to me) would at least taken a good sleep because i think we all needed rest as we were tired after a full working Monday. Although some of us celebrated it in their own real way. Here i have one example.

I am working for last 8 months in HEJ research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, for completion of my M.Sc thesis which is now submitted and last processing is running for publishing a research paper. Yasmeen is a P.H.D student in the same lab in which i am working on collaboration. She is in this lab for almost five years and now in hardly six months, she is going to be Dr. Yasmeen.
I always call her a machine, but i know it's a crime i do every time. She comes at 8.30 in the morning, obviously in order to come so early using public transport or HEJ van she has to wake up so early in the morning as she lives far from university area. During my own work in lab i see her walking here and there, handling more than one things at one time, full dedication and devotion, no signs of tiring on her face, all time fresh and smiley. I always surprise on her temperament and determination because research in Pakistan especially in Molecular Biology is not so advanced and managed. Students doing P.H.D have to face certain serious problems and unlike other students, she does everything so properly. Sometimes she needs to go PCMD three times a day in burning sunlight just for running a single PCR reaction because PCR machine of our lab is not working properly. For almost two months split Air conditions of our lab have some problems and every student including me are suffering from the hot environment of the lab. Everyone tries to get rid of this situation by searching any alternate for it even, leaves working for some time. Today when i decided to take a good rest at home, Yasmeen decided to come and continue her work, because she thinks that she can do her work more properly and with full concentration on a holiday, as lab is less crowded and there is peace everywhere in the building on a holiday. She does not want to waste her time as resting at home has nothing to do with her hard work. So, she came today and worked and rest of us rested at home and spent whole day by watching TV, listening National songs or some outing.

So i am right in my decision to call her a machine, because she celebrated Pakistan day in her own style by working and i did it by resting.

As i always wish,"I need holiday, holiday and just holiday".

Ethical Issues In Genetic Engineering......

We have studied Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in our last semester of Masters in Biochemistry. Despite of all facts that Genetic Engineering gave a lot of new healthy inventions, our course supervisor Dr. Siddiqua Jamal insisted us to write an assignment on the Ethical Issues that Common Men can have because this is most important thing. we searched and worked three weeks, then submitted the assignment. Mine was as normal as it is always(for me), but surprisingly she liked that assignment very much and advised me to share with other people. Although it is Scientifically written, but i tried to make it comprehensible and so i am sharing it with all of you.

In the last forty years as the science of DNA has been developed so far in the fields of biotechnology and genetic engineering, the possibilities of having advantages as well as disadvantages are also being raised. So this is a noteworthy point in today’s research that what could be the beneficial technique and which invention is ethically destructive for the life on the earth. Here we are discussing some of the ethical issues that are being controversial in the whole process of genetic engineering.

ETHICS IN CLONING :

Dolly was the first higher animal to be cloned and after that, the research in this field has been reached to the new dimensions. But the ethical issue is that during the process of cloning several controversies are being produced. First the question of the parent animal when the nucleus is taken from a different adult cell where as ovum has come from different animal and then embryo is being carried by a surrogate mother for several months, so who should really own the cloned one. Test tube babies in this sense are ethically not controversial and can be a better choice as compare to cloning until and unless further development in this particular field could be possible and which would be ethically not controversial. Another important thing is that if the cells are being taken from a developing embryo and are going to be used for cloning or stem cells research then embryo is going to lose his life and ethically it is like killing a living thing. Anything that is going to be used for the benefit of human beings but by harming another life would ethically wrong.

ETHICS RELATED TO GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS AND GENETICALLY MODIFIED MEDICINES:

For several reasons genetically modified organisms could be beneficial like genetically modified bacteria can be used to cure some viral diseases and can prevent certain very harmful diseases like Hepatitis B. The same micro organisms can be used for several other purposes for example, for consumption of oil from oily and spoiled sea shores using genetic modifications. But at the same time if these modifications are not very précised, could be harmful and can cause danger to the environment and to the human beings also. . However, what is interesting is that in general the natural genetic engineering done by gene exchange between bacteria in the soil or water makes so many different bacteria that are selected to use the toxins for their energy source, and these bacteria are better suited to local environments. So usually by adding fertiliser to a polluted area, the already existing bacteria will be able to grow well and clean up the pollution rather than adding new ones. There is still more research needed, but it shows that in nature if something is already beneficial then by using genetic engineering advantages could be enhanced. Genetically modified or genetically synthesized medicines are now widely used not only for the prevention of several diseases but also for the regulation of certain enzymes and hormones level in the body. These also have to be without any side effect or any other damage to the human health, in this way these would be more beneficial.

ETHICS IN GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD:

Genetically modified food like golden rice could be very beneficial due to the reasons that these are cheaper and contain a high level of vitamins and minerals so in the areas of poverty and large population these foods can provide all nutritional needs of people specially young ones and children. A modification in the taste and quality could make GM food more important. Safety is a major important thing in the production of GM food, adverse health effects should be screened, also it is to remember that these foods should not have any allergic reaction or antibiotic resistance and neither it produce any stress which could make it ethically controversial. Also it is noteworthy that the area in which GM food is being cultivated should not spread that it could disturb the food chain or food cycle, otherwise it can strike with nature. Weeds, herbs and other natural resources are also necessary to maintain this food cycle and ecosystem.

CONCLUSION:

Science is made for the ease and safety of humanity. The purpose of studying and researching in the fields related to science and particularly biotechnology and genetic engineering should be the benefit of humanity neither the destruction nor difficulties. A researcher has to do something to provide other human beings a society full of healthy environment, so every genetically engineered or genetically modified thing would be welcomed by the society if it does not contain any harmful or destructive effects and if it is providing something that is satisfactory for the people also solving problems related to life rather than making them more complicated. Everything that is not harming any naturally occurring thing, neither disturbing the environment nor colliding with rules created by nature should be acceptable for us because it is we, who can change the world only by broadening our thoughts and views.

Obedience or Slavery..........?

Few weeks ago my elder sister went on shopping and when she returned, along with other necessaries, she had a beautiful shawl with green and fawn shades and sensational touch of Pashmina fabric . I just become flattered to see that shawl, it was looking beautiful when my sister put it on. Usually i never take interest in fabrics so much but after seeing such a nice color combination, i didn't forget that one. Indeed, My sister Loved that too and was pleased that her loving Husband will like it.
When she visited us next time, she brought a surprise for me. As i was engaged in telling her about my daily routine work of those days, she suddenly pulled her bag, opened that and put out a packet. I was astonished that what it could be, after taking it in my hand, unpacked and amazed to see the same piece of fabric .
"What??" i just could ask.
"Well, this is for you." she answered me with faint smile and yellow face.
I could not understand for a moment what she was saying, then i tried to solve things.
"What do you mean? You purchased it for yourself, not for me." I started arguing which is my all time habit.
"Well, Yes, but now it is your's." she tried to satisfy me in her low voice.
"Why? just tell me the reason otherwise i am not going to accept it. I know yourself, more than you. The thing that you chooses for yourself, never can give to other even as a gift."
She remained quiet for a little time and then said,"My husband doesn't like this color."
I was not expecting that stupid(according to me) answer."So?"
"What so? Why do you always ask so many questions?"
"Yes i do, because i wanna know that why you all have made your life so difficult?"
"I am trying to make my life easy, not difficult", she explained. "I can not wear it because he and my In-laws did not like this shawl, therefore it's of no use for me. It can be useful for you and i think you liked it."
"Yes i liked it, but never wanted to get it like this." i felt a feeling of anger inside me. "Doesn't this matter for him that which color do you want to wear, which thing you want to eat, what do you like, what do you think, what do you feel? Does anyone of these matter for him?"
"Yes, it matters but......." she could not justify her answer.
"If it matters, then why i am looking a feeling of pain on your face while you are giving it to me?" I could not resist myself to speak, "Why he is trying to impose his thinking on you, you have your own senses. At least you should be able to decide what you should wear and eat. I am fed up with these so called standards of your In-laws."
"You can not understand because you are still not married. Being a wife in this society i have to be obedient. I have to respect his choice to make him happy. My paradise is in his happiness."
My anger reached top of the world, "If marriage takes your freedom away then i am not going to marry at all. And sorry to say, this is not obedience. For me, it's nothing more than slavery. To respect your beloved's choice is different from the respect that one gives being pressurized to respect. I am a human being first then a woman, no one could ever claim any right to take benefit of it. Finally if paradise is being made so cheap in this society, then i will prefer freedom on paradise. I will follow the theory of Mansur Hallaj not of Plato."
I know i was so harsh for a moment, then i realized and got over it, tried to make her happy in any way i could, but this is true i am still in a great feeling of grief inside out.
Woman is responsible to build the future of Nations. I wonder what could a woman give to her child if she is supposed to live like a motionless, thoughtless, senseless thing.
I ask a question,"Can a woman give birth to a free person, if she is spending her life like a slave? Education, Health and other matters are far, if she just not supposed to wear a color of her own choice."
That shawl has been kept in my cupboard for two to three weeks. I haven't decide yet to use it because i never like the beauty if it comes to me in this way.......

In the Everlasting Love (بے انت محبّت میں)

In the Everlasting Love
nothing is difficult so,
being very far but still
close to destiny too.
so inside the heart, hopes
glow like some candles,
in the shadow of eyelashes
few dreams also grow up.

In the Everlasting Love
nothing is so unattainable,
being empty handed yet
acquire a new shore.
new scent of memories
new color of thoughts,
like flowers in courtyard
a sensation is always there.

In the Everlasting Love
a new passion every moment,
the journey is full of thorns
still the way will be found.

In the Everlasting Love
neither any distance exists,
comes after every sorrow
the happiness too somewhere.

In the Everlasting Love
nowhere is any detachment,
whenever hands are raised
desire to accomplishment.

In the Everlasting Love
everything is attained,
so no matter, sweet heart
if you are lost and gone.

Still Worshiping Idols......

"An infidel with a wakeful heart praying to the idol
Is better than a true believer asleep in the Ka'bah."

Last night i visited one of my closed relatives and what feeling of shame i got there for myself, i hope i could ever be able to express it.
After some refreshment when i went in her kitchen in search of some water as i was not interested to drink any soft drink. For a while i searched for a glass then i found it at a side of the top. I got the glass, kept it in front of me and nearly started pouring water from the bottle when she suddenly entered the kitchen and after having a watch on me, yelled,"No, don't drink in that glass. We don't drink water in it. Take out other from the first right cabinet". I didn't understand for a moment, then stopped and asked to her,"What's wrong with this one?"
"A non-Muslim student comes here for tuition, we have kept it for him." she explained.
I could not decide what to say next after her justified briefing,"So it's mean that we can not drink in it, Reason?"
"Reason, what reason, i have told you the reason."
I surprised,"Is it the reason for forbidding me, not to drink water in this glass."
"Yes" she went out in drawing room very much satisfied, and i could not drink water at all after that, neither in that one nor in other.
Prophet Muhammad(P.B.U.H), broke all idols placed in Ka'bah fourteen centuries ago, but we, his followers perhaps still worshiping idols. Idols of our thoughts and perceptions, Idols of our self made religious and ethical standards.
In his Great Last Sermon, Holy Prophet declared that no one is superior on other whether Arab or non-Arab, but only one who has more "Taqwa" than others. Superiority is not on the basis of even religion, financial status or any other standards, and still we are dividing humanity, "I am superior than others. I am better than You. I am always right. I can never be wrong at all." What kind of perception, this attitude reflects. Are we trying to separate ourselves from rest of entire humanity. If Yes, then we are most stupid to try to get happiness in this way. This separation is like the separation of body and soul, since body can not claim itself living after departure of soul, we can not claim ourselves as living if we are not connected to humanity.

Like Abu Jahl said to the Idols of Ka'bah according to Iqbal :

"Do not go away from this abode,
Or if leave you must then stay in our hearts."

I read it in "The Republic of Rumi" and clearly understood now.
Are we doing the same thing?

Balwa Mangal (بلوا منگل )

This is the name of one of Agha Hashar Kashmiri's plays, and i had no idea when i was going to read it that i am going to read one of the best literatures of the world. Although it is written in Urdu but it has half of its content of Hindi language according to the name of play, which is the story of a Hindu Brahaman Balwa Mangal.
The best thing which fascinated me is the grasp of language, the clear notion of Hindu religion and the harmony of Agha Hashar for Hinduism.

The Literature that can bring two different religious concepts, two different cultures and thoughts at a point where peace and Love become necessities to accept, is Consensus Literature. This dogma has been changed after 1935 and we brutally placed Agha Hashar with usual less worthy writers.

He no doubt deserves to be called as "Indian Shakespeare".

Something you should not expect from .........?

As the Trial of Aafia Siddiqui ended and she is supposed to be punished, with a deep sorrow I remembered something i forgot during these days.
Something that had given me the same feeling of uncertainty in our thoughts and may be in expectations too. Something i could not wish to share, if the same thought would have not tackled inside my mind.

"She was not upset but everyone was trying to make her upset by treating her like an abnormal person in the office. She didn’t do anything to be punished, anything which may harm anyone, which can be unethical or can be teasing for someone. Nothing was so bad for her except the behaviour of her colleagues. She didn’t hurt them. She only and only expressed her thoughts towards them that if a person dislikes something then nobody has any right to impose that one onto him or her. She didn’t break any rule but refused to attend the workshop that contained some vulgar material that she did not want to watch in a particular video.
It was not a local, rigid and conservative or fundamentalist organization. It was an international, so called intellectual, advanced and modernized organization being supervised under the well developed and well established European country which was one of the states always trying to prove them as representatives of freedom and liberty.
She was not a fundamentalist so called Muslim. She always tried not to hurt someone from her attitude, neither imposed her feelings on anybody nor showed narrow thinking. She believed on freedom of expression and at the same time she respected the ethical and moral values of other communities, wanted to be respected of her own. She was working in this organization for three or four years and she spent a good time there, therefore she often felt that people are so simple and nice around her because she was simple and nice herself but this is what that life teach us, “what we see is not, what is it in real”.
She forgot that the representatives of freedom of expression only show their mind liberty when they plan to make jokes related to the religious and moral issues of other communities. They are only liberal for publishing cartoons of the most respected ones for Muslims. They are not liberal for allowing Muslim girls to wear scarves in their schools, never show broad thinking for understanding the emotions of Muslims for their ethical and moral values."

After having this type of experience, no body can ever expect good from other side. But this is what we do every time and did this time too.............

What to say more??