Halal Vaccine: Thinking point for Pakistan
Posted on April 16, 2008 | 337 views
Filed Under News & Media, Opinion, Pakistan, South Asia, Thinking aloud | 5 Comments
Dear Reader, welcome back!
Yesterday, I happened to read a news item in daily Dawn about Malaysia joining hands with Cuba to produce Halal vaccine for meningitis. It is estimated that the project will cost 3.6 million ringgit ($ 1 million) of which 2.0 million ringgit will be provided by Malaysia and remaining 1.6 million ringgit will be added by the Cuba. It is reported the Halal industry is spread over $ 580 billions annually and Malaysia is trying to capture this Market for long.Malaysia is a regional as well as international economic hub and their excellent track record is quite evident of their ambitions. The made themselves appear on the international economics radar screen with their innovative ideas. Dr Mahathir Mohammad, who ruled the country for around 22 years, developed his country by developing its IT and electronics sector as well as many other avenues and among them biotechnology was one of very important considerations. In an interview, Mr. Mohammad says, “We are among the richest [country] in terms of genes that can be utilized for various purposes. So if we do not do it ourselves, others may come in and pick up some of the things they can develop…So we must make use of the resources in this country. That is why we promote this [bio-technology and pharmaceutical industry] because it is another source of wealth for the country”. Mahathir Mohammad is quite right in his views. He was the person whose sagacity helped his country rise to the current position.
Having read all this, I can’t stop thinking about this important industry where we can make some progress. Pakistan is known as an Islamic country and we can step ahead in this sector to gain some benefits. It is not about the religious prejudice of any kind, it is about thinking innovative to identify markets that we can explore and exploit to our advantage. Mr. Mohammad further adds, “Islam teaches us that life is important but when in an emergency – or darurat (need) – and faced with a choice of life or death, the issue of whether a medicine is halal or haram is not of prime importance. What is important is your life, halal products need to be consumed if it is available.”
Here, our policy markers must come forward and give a serious thought to this important industry. I think, if we are jumping into this arena, our country can gain a good deal.
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5 Responses to “Halal Vaccine: Thinking point for Pakistan”
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my query in this regard is that what does vaccines actually contain?? what does it mean to produce HALAL vaccine??
i think there are so many other fields in which Pakistan ought to make itself prominent in.
@Farah:
Thanks for coming. I’ve already provided links in the text to answer your query. You can move the pointer to the term and click it in order to follow the link for additional readings.
oh i didnt notice! thank you Sir.
@Farah: You are welcome.
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