STATEMENT OF INTENT
between
The Government
of
the Republic
of
India
Ministry of Science and Technology
and
The Government of the United States
of
America
Department of Health and Human Services
on
Indo-U.S. Collaboration on Expansion of Vision Research
Recognizing:
The strong commitment shared by the two countries
to
reduce the burden
of
vision disability and blindness;
The launching
of
Vision 2020 by the World Health Organization and global
partners with the common goal
of
eliminating preventable and treatable
blindness;
The long history of successful research collaboration between India and
U.S. scientists and institutions
in
the prevention of blindness;
The scientific accomplishments realized under previous Indo-US
collaborative agreements, including the Indo-US Science and Technology Sub-
commission and the Gandhi- Reagan Science and Technology Initiative;
The high degree
of
research expertise
in
basic biology and clinical science
in
both countries, which could make collaboration
on
an
equal footing possible;
The agencies
of
the Government of India represented by the Department of
Biotechnology
of
the Ministry of Science and Technology,
and
the agencies
of
the Government
of
the United States
of
America, represented by the National
Eye Institute (NEI) within the Institutes
of
Health (NIH) and the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS), herein-after referred
to
as
"Parties", mutually
anticipate
an
expanded collaborative program
of
vision research.
Both parties intend to build upon previous research cooperation by drawing
on
the expertise of Indian and U.S. scientists
in
both public
and
private institutions
to
identify, promote and support collaborative biomedical
and
clinical research that
will result
in
new and improved approaches
to
preventing visual disability
and
blindness. Because
of
the complex socioeconomic and service delivery issues
that undergird the prevention and treatment of eye conditions and diseases,
research into health services is also necessary.
In
addition
to
possible joint
research projects, opportunities for collaboration include:
1)
organization of
workshops; 2) identification of training opportunities for researchers;
3)
exchange
of scientists; 4) exchange of scientific information; and
5)
exchange of biological
materials.
Consistent with preliminary discussions among scientists
and
administrators from
both countries, it is expected the parties could pursue the following broad
scientific areas:
Epidemiological studies to understand the genetic and environmental
factors that underlie common eye diseases, including the genetic basis for
susceptibility to environmental influences;
Genetics
of
inherited retinal disorders, congenital glaucoma, cataract and
other eye diseases;
Adult stem cell research, and embryonic stem cell research
in
conformance with U.S. Government policy
on
such research as articulated by the
President
of
the U.S.
in
2001 for treating eye diseases, and related policies of the
Government of India;
Mechanisms
of
cataract formation, and pharmacological modes of
retarding the progression
of
cataract;
Traditional medicine and ethno-pharmacy research to provide clues
to
new drugs and related substances; and,
Analysis
and
policy formulation
on
the cost-effectiveness
and
public health
benefits
of
new approaches
to
prevent and treat vision abnormalities.
In
addition to this illustrative list
of
research areas, both parties may consider
other vision research topics for inclusion,
in
conformance. with the scientific
research policies and priorities of both governments.
Activities contemplated under this Statement
of
Intent should operate
on
a
principle of reciprocity. Both parties intend to rapidly review research proposals
and
protocols, as necessary, and to assist
in
identifying appropriate sources
of
funds to support these possible endeavors.
It is anticipated that steps for implementing this initiative will be developed
through consultations after the Statement of Intent
is
signed.
On
the Indian side,
the Department
of
Biotechnology should serve as the nodal agency, with the
expectation
of
the involvement of other interested governmental and non-
governmental organizations. Similarly,
on
the United States side, the HHS/NIH
National Eye Institute intends to serve as the nodal agency, with the cooperation
and involvement of other interested governmental
and
non-governmental
organizations. The parties may identify scientific co-chairs
in
both countries
to
ensure appropriate liaison and implementation
of
research collaborations.
With this Statement of Intent, we recognize that Indo-US scientific cooperation
can contribute significantly to the prevention
of
visual disability
and
blindness
in
India, the United States, and the globe.
In
signing this Statement
of
Intent, we
encourage scientists and health providers
in
both our countries
to
work toward
this goal.
For the Government of the
For the Government of the
United States
of
America
Republic of India
Dr.
Elias
A.
Zerhouni
Dr.
Maharaj
K.
Shan
Director
Secretary
National
Institutes of
Health
Department
of
Biotechnology
Department
of
Health
and
Human
Services
Ministry
of
Science
and
Technology
