Hasan Al Manjur
The recent findings of a Dhaka University research created sensation among all sections of society after it was revealed that harmful antibiotics and detergent have been found in samples of packaged milk available in kitchen markets and grocery shops across the country. A group of nine teachers from the faculty of pharmacy, led by Professor ABM Faroque, conducted the tests at DU’s Biomedical Research Centre and published the test results on June 24 last.
Since the findings were revealed, the group of researchers were intimidated openly with threat of facing legal action by bureaucrats from the ministry of industry. State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry Swapan Bhattacharya claimed the research findings to be false while additional secretary to Fisheries and Livestock Department Qazi Wasi Uddin raised allegation of violating research protocol.
The same group of teachers who were thrust under media spotlight by their revelation conducted the test for the second time and once again found antibiotics in milk available in markets. The findings of second test were revealed through a press release on Saturday, signed by ABM Faroque, immediate past director of Dhaka University's Biomedical Research Centre.
Our Dhaka University Correspondent Hasan Al Manjur on Sunday talked to Professor ABM Faroque about the whole issue in details. Here are some excerpts: Bangladesh Post: Why did you disclose the research findings? Prof ABM Faroque: We have vital responsibilities to make people aware about imminent dangers. We unveiled the findings of the research to aware them about serious health concern.
Bangladesh Post: Some are raising questions over results of your test? Are you sticking to your findings? Prof ABM Faroque: Off course, we do; because, we made no mistake, or crime, conducting the tests. Bangladesh Post: Some pinched that your research results are not yet published in related journal. What is your opinion about this objection?
Prof ABM Faroque: The same argument that whether the report is published in journal was made by the companies after the formulation of Medicine Policy-1952. When an imminent danger looms over public health, it is our duty to inform the public about the threat. It is not any issue whether the report is published or not; rather it would have been a crime if we did not inform the public. We have a clear conscience. What we have done is our duty, we world continue doing so.
Bangladesh Post: Pharmacy Department Chairman has issued a statement denying any responsibility about your rest results. What is your opinion? Prof ABM Faroque: The chairman is not supposed to take responsibility, we who conducted the research take full responsibility. Conducting research is the job of a university. A university is not for teaching ABCD only; university produces knowledge. Conducting research and revealing the findings to the people is the main objective of a university.
Dhaka University always feels responsibility to the people. What we have published has been published as part of social responsibility. The research was not conducted taking money from any company. We have conducted our research using money allocated by the education ministry. It was carried out to facilitate the government drives against food adulteration.
Bangladesh Post: What inspired you to do the test again? Prof ABM Faroque: This is the vital issue; after publishing our first research findings, some bureaucrats denounced the results, saying ‘it’s false'. We requested the related companies and government agencies concerned such as Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute, Bangladesh Safe Food Authority, Institute of Public Health to conduct tests on presence of antibiotics. But they did not pay heed to my request. Instead, they were trying to label our research false. So, we decided to conduct the tests again.
Bangladesh Post: What is your opinion about the comments made by a state minister and an additional secretary? Prof ABM Faroque: I have talked to State Minister Swapan Bhattacharya at a TV talk show. I asked him why you accused me in the parliament. I never told that arsenic has been found in milk. What it seemed from his answer that he was not well-briefed before making the comment. I thought the issue would be closed here; but later that additional secretary made another comment, I don’t know whether being instructed by the minister or not. Whatever, what he said is not right.
Bangladesh Post: Additional secretary of Ministry of Fisheries And Livestock, Kazi Wasi Uddin threatened to take immediate action against you. What is your reaction? Prof ABM Faruque: I have done my work, but after unveiling the research; some government bureaucrats and companies have started threatening me. I am worried about myself.
Bangladesh Post: Why did you feel the urge to publish test results even before the research is published in peer review journal? Prof ABM Faroque: It would take one or one and a half year more to get the research published in journal. Several of my papers are still unpublished. If I submit it now, it would take at least one year more. Would we sit down for this long time whent the future of our next generation is at stake? Public health would continue to be hampered by this time.
Our aim was to make the people aware of the danger, so that they boil the milk before drinking. I also thought that pasteurised milk would not have been adulterated. But I was wrong, it has been. So, we had not alternative to inform the people so that they don’t become affected. Our second aim was to inform the monitoring authorities like BSTI. When antibiotics used in human treatment are found in milk that must be monitored.