Organoids and Commercialization

Organoids are 3D miniature tissue mimics and have been effectively used for various purposes, including disease modeling, various drug screening, mechanism of pathogenesis, stem cell research, and tumor immunology. Organoids are as varied as the body’s tissues and organs and have enormous economic potential. They can open new ways to tailored therapy and precision medicine. In clinical investigations, patient-derived organoids have been used to predict patient responses to therapeutic regimens and perhaps improve cancer treatment outcomes. Recent developments in stem cell research and genomic technologies have led to breakthrough innovations in organoid bioengineering, large-scale manufacturing, biobanking, and commercialization. This chapter reviews the notion of organoid biobanking, companies involved and the commercialization aspect, and ethical considerations

Comparative study of son preference in India and China : assessing policy interventions to address discrimination against girls; final technical report

India and China have similar patterns of gender discrimination, similar patriarchal kinship systems, and are experimenting with relatively similar policy approaches. The project conducted a comparative analysis of policies that address discrimination against girls, mapping all policy interventions that seek to address daughter discrimination in each country, and reviewing literature on son preference. Discriminatory practices affect girls’ ability to live a life free of violence and coercion, and to realize rights and freedoms starting from birth. These factors also affect broader demographic structures and social, cultural, and political life of both India and China. Project outputs are detailed in the report