Scientists oppose study into ‘qualities’ of indigenous cow

Scientists oppose study into ‘qualities’ of indigenous cow

Part of: GS Prelims –Sci & Tech and GS-III- conservation

In news:

• Many scientists have petitioned the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to withdraw a proposal that solicits research into indigenous cows.

Concerns 

• The research programme appeared to endorse the belief that indigenous cows had “special” and “unique” qualities 
• Possibility of money being “wasted to investigate imaginary qualities derived from religious scriptures”. 
• Programme did not encourage fair comparison with other breeds of cows around the world or other bovine species within India
•  Proposal was drafted unscientifically

From Prelims Point of View:

Background:

• Government has recently unveiled a programme to research on ‘indigenous’ cows. (SUTRA PIC or Scientific Utilisation Through Research Augmentation-Prime Products from Indigenous Cows) led by the Department of Science and Technology 

Aims 

• To perform scientific research on complete characterisation of milk and milk products derived from Indian indigenous cows 

• Scientific research on nutritional and therapeutic properties of curd and ghee prepared from indigenous breeds of cows by traditional methods; development of standards for traditionally processed dairy products of Indian-origin cow