Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Saadiya Saeed ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Forensic Medicine, J.N. Medical College, AMU, Aligarh, U.P., IN

Abstract

Virtual autopsy is a new modality of performing autopsy. It utilizes the technological innovation in modern medicine such as multi slice CT Scanning and magnetic resonance imaging to obtain high quality images of the body in multiple plains without mutilation of the human body. It also incorporates other minimally invasive techniques such as image guided biopsy, MR Spectroscopy, postmortem angiography followed by data fusion to give a postmortem diagnosis. Since it is minimally, invasive it is more likely to be acceptable to the society. In USA and European countries, clinical trials are going on to validate this new technique, and is likely to replace or complement conventional autopsies in these countries. In India we are yet to catch up with these nations as the facilities for performing Virtopsy are negligible in our country. The article, discusses the possible benefits of this technique in a country like India. The literature on the subject is also reviewed

Keywords

Virtopsy, Autopsy, Multi Slice CT, MRI, Image Guided Biopsy, Conventional Autopsy

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Saadiya Saeed ¹, Shamim Jahan Rizvi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Forensic Medicine, J.N. Medical College, A.M.U., Aligarh (U.P.) India, IN

Abstract

Human cloning is defined as the asexual replication of an existing genome or individual, or a replica of a DNA sequence, such as a gene produced by genetic engineering. Human cloning which was a topic of science fiction until yesterday became a reality with the arrival of "Dolly" the cloned sheep in 1997. A large number of ethical issues regarding human reproductive cloning have been raised a) physical harm to mother and foetus (b) autonomy (c) conflicts of interest (d) psychological and social harm (e) cloning is contrary to human dignity etc. There are arguments in favour of human reproductive cloning (a) A new treatment option for infertile couples (b) people should be free (autonomous) in their reproductive decisions. There is no consensus among nations regarding cloning and stem cell research. India allows stem cell research but disallows human cloning. The debate regarding 'human cloning' continues. This article brings to light the current debate on human cloning and the future possibilities.

Keywords

Human Cloning, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, Therapeutic Cloning

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