Dr Yogesh M Jirankalgikar, Lecturer, Dept of Basic Principles,SHES’ AMC Ayurveda Medical College, Gulbarga, and Dr Pravin R Joshi, Lecturer, Dept of Dravyaguna, Gangadhar Shastry Gune Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Ahmednagar share their opinions on the recent controversy stirred up by the sale of a medicine which would supposedly ensure the birth of a male child
Rajya Sabha MP (JDU), KC Tyagi raised a question on the ‘Divya Putrajeevak seed’ on the floor of Parliament House on Thursday, April 30, 2015. The question was regarding a claim that this medicine on consumption guarantees conception of a male child. As this medicine is sold by Divya Pharmacy he also demanded a probe against the pharmacy. In reply, the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, JP Nadda, stated that the issue is related to the Department of AYUSH and the Government will look into it and ensure proper action.
Reacting to the MP’s query, Patanjali Yogpeeth, the governing body of the above quoted pharmacy said, “This medicine (Putrajeevaka) is used in treatment of infertility and it only helps childless couples to conceive, has no effect on gender of the would be progeny.” It also rejected the theory of gender selection. It was also reported by media that Madhya Pradesh state government has banned the sale of Divya Putrajeevaka seed and asked Divya Pharmacy to change the name of the product.
This incident has raised several questions, not only from experts of ayurveda but also for the common man. As experts of ayurveda, we feel that every system of medicine has its own principles and practices. Spontaneous comments without thorough understanding of the subject on such sensitive issues or raising this type of questions will not serve the purpose. On the contrary, it is a sign of immaturity and eagerness to achieve cheap publicity which is increasingly becoming an integral part of current day, imbecilic, political practices.
This issue has three important aspects: social, emotional and political. Let us start with scientific facts. Sex determination of a foetus is surely and purely dependent on the male partner (23+XY). If the ‘Y’ chromosome from the male pairs with the ‘X’ chromosome of the female (23+XX), then the result will be a male baby (23+XY). Likewise, if the ‘X’ chromosome of the male, pairs with the ‘X’ chromosome of the female, then the baby will be a female (23+XX). Thus, the male chromosome is responsible for determination of the sex of the would be child. Interestingly, the ‘Putrajeevaka’ medicine is prescribed to the female partner in infertile couples and still a ban on the medicine is suggested, which is nothing but mockery of scientific research. Furthermore, by our experience of 10-odd years practising as a ayurveda consultants for infertility, I can assure that couples suffering from infertility are eager, anxious at times, and desperate for conception and hardly bother about the gender of the would be progeny.
From the ayurvedic perspective, the desired effect of the medicine can only be achieved if selection of the medicine is done on the basis of various aspects like the patient’s constitution (prakriti), dosha vitiation and so on. It is never alike, the result of a medicine varies from person to person depending on kala (time), and the matra (dosage) used. The same medicine can be used in manifold conditions for different reasons. Thus, claiming one of the various effects of a drug (which is also a misconception) and arguing for its ban is a parody of our revered traditional knowledge of ayurveda.
The meaning of word putra in Sanskrit means progeny/ off spring which includes both the male and female gender. The base of this controversy is illiteracy about the medical terms in Sanskrit which further got diverted into a movement about saving the girl child.
In ayurveda, there are plenty of drugs named on male and female genders, viz Pumkutaja, Streekutaja, Kumari, Taruni, and Vandhyakarkotaki.
The basic principle behind the nomenclature of a medicinal plant in ayurveda has various theories such as its physical appearance, height, shape and size of leaves, flowers and fruits, flowering seasons and important usage. Any arbitrary demand for change of name is to attack these principles and in turn on ayurvedic science itself. There is a special term for these names and are referred to as ethno botanical names. Few e.g. Putranjeevaka-Putranjeevaka roxburgiana, Madhuka-Madhuka indica, Dhattura-Dhattura metal, Capsicum-Annona sqaumaosa, Bambu-Bambusa arundunoisa, Shalmali-Shlamaila malbarica.
The naming patterns of herbs is standardised by International Code of Nomenclature governed by International Association for Plant Taxonomy. It is adopted all over the world for unique identification of botanical species and not by any pharmacy itself. Once it is authorised then one cannot question the name of a specific drug. If at all there are controversies or confusions, then one should raise them to the concerned authorities. Such constitutionally empowered authorities in India are FDA of Government of India and Ministry of AYUSH whereas it is the International Union of Biological Sciences and International Botanical Congress on the international platform. This, and all other ayurvedic medicines marketed in India by any pharmacy, have to undergo a process of obtaining licence for production as well as marketing of these drugs which is controlled by Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and are exercised under Drug and Cosmetics Act 1972.
Coming to the social aspects, no one has the right to undergo or promote or run away from the responsibility of female foeticide. It is the moral responsibility of every human being to ensure that by all possible means we abolish this inhuman act of foetal sex determination, which in turn, leads to female foeticide.
One last question is that can any policy or government reserve the right for intervention in a private matter, i.e. the desire of a couple to have a child of a particular gender. At present no such medicines are available to help in deciding the sex of a foetus that is not yet fertilised. If in future, medical research enables us to produce medicines, which on administration before conception, will help in deciding the gender of the off-spring that is not yet conceived, then it is up to the law makers to either give the freedom for its use or ban the medicine. MP Ji ball is in your court. What do you think?
About the authors
Dr Jirankalgikar is a practising ayurveda consultant in the field of infertility since 2006. Dr Joshi has been involved in numerous research, projects in the field of Dravyaguna. He is the author of a book,’Plants for Substitution and Adulteration’