K N Bhat, former Additional Solicitor General of India and senior advocate of the Supreme Court, has stressed the need for evidence-based research to prove the beneficial and harmful effects of arecanut.
He was speaking at the valedictory of two-day interactive workshop on arecanut and human health organised by the CPCRI in Kasargod on Wednesday
Bhat said that it is evident that arecanut is not carcinogenic, but there is an urgent need to conduct an in-depth study and develop value addition products.
Dr K Satyamoorthy, director of School of Life Sciences, Manipal, stressed that arecanut is a natural product and it is highly unlikely to be carcinogenic. “If any drug is taken in excess, then it becomes toxic. At the same time, cancer issue of arecanut has been overblown compared to any other substances,” he explained.
He assured the collaboration with ICAR-CPCRI, in the field of medical sciences.
Dr Homey Cheriyan form the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, Kozhikode, stressed on the statistical studies delineating the relationship between arecanut consumption and human health. He also emphasised upon product diversification and value addition as a future course of action
Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane, M S, former professor and head, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology; Anant Hegde Ashisar, former chairperson, Western Ghats Task Force; and Dr Chowdappa, CPCRI director, also spoke.