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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

INDIA: VISION AND STRATEGY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR 2050



PAPER PRESENTATION
ON
INDIA: VISION AND STRATEGY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR 2050

BY
SANJAYKUMAR VASOYA
BIOTECHNOLOGIST

HEAD, RESEARCH TEAM
VELLAGE EDUCATION & HEALTH RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
MOB: +254731865085 KENYA
+255789785434 TANZANIA
+919737646411 INDIA

INDEX

1. Abstract

2. Introduction

3. Background of Biovision 2050

4. Vision and strategy for biotechnology Sector
    (Biovision-2050)
1) Genetic modified food
2) Human genome project
         3) Agricultural biotechnology
         4) Industrial biotechnology
         5) Medical biotechnology

      5. Obstacles and Fears

      6. Conclusion

      7. Bibliography    

      8. Reference  

======================================================================= 
ABSTRACT

The world scenario is constantly and rapidly changing. Biotechnology is considering as a next wave of technological change which was brought about by information technology by early 1990s.Before 25 years no one knew that innovation of computers and mobiles will change the definition of world. On the other side world population is expected to reach over 10 million in the year 2050, while agricultural production is growing at slower rate about 1.8%.More people die in world from diseases related to malnutrition and incurable diseases like cancer and AIDS. India and china where population growth is much higher, many new diseases are spreading and we can not neglect the possibility of threat of food shortage in future, in such situation biotechnology needs to be implemented in all walks of life. Achievements in biotechnology have already surpassed all previous expectation. Full realization of biotechnology revolution   depends on innovative research and development activities    which should be done constantly on convenient climate and public acceptance. For a country like India, biotechnology is a powerful enabling technology that can revolutionize agriculture, heath care, industrial processing and environmental sustainability.

 INTRODUCTION

        Peter.F.Drucker, author of many in management books said, “Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back windows”. Thus, this paper does not put in an effort to predict future of biotechnology, rather it is an attempt to find out which major forces will affect and change future and how could future scenario look like. The field like biotechnology is changing rapidly and to predict long term or short term developments program is quite difficult. In the year 2050, the world would be very different places than it is now. A couple of decades into the new century, everything would be different whether it is technology, science, management scenario, society, life style etc.
         Biotechnology mainly recognized as a sunrise industry is rapidly growing and it gives many promises to society. The past and continuing development in biotechnology clearly reveals the scenario of few decades ahead. The research and innovation in biotechnology itself suggest the scene of different India from now. If we discuss about the business aspects then the Indian biotechnology sector is being considered as an emerging investment    opportunities. Over the last two decades this sector has developed through a number of industrial initiatives. In Indian market, biotechnology products and vaccines constitute a good part and many people get benefits due to various product.

        Biotechnology means “use of technology to improve life sciences”. Or “Biotechnology is the application of biological organism, systems or process to manufactures and service industries”. Various micro organisms such as bacteria or yeast, or biological substance like enzyme, protein or DNA is used to perform specific industrial or manufacturing process. The application of biotechnology is vast. In India biotechnology is developed during last    decades and research on inventing new technology is going on or it can be said that biotechnology in India is in the experimental phase. It can be said that the influence of biotechnology will totally change India around 2050.
  
BACKGROUND OF BIOVISION 2050

 Advanced in biotechnology and genetic engineering is not only for the people and society but it will reshape many sectors in the Indian economy like agri-business,  chemicals, health care, pharmaceuticals, energy, computing etc.. Many new drugs and genetic modified products are discovered and market for it is also increased. The future of biotechnology will not be determined only by technology alone, but also by the public opinion and other relevant issues like ethics, its influence on society etc.
         Biotechnology is a sector from which government and public expects a lot because of its influence on society. It will definitely change the India but before that it is important to have an answer of questions like what will be the impact of biotechnology on society as well as on economy? Which new innovation or discoveries will take place in coming years? Which obstacles can be disturbed the development of future? The answers of these questions can make a proper way for achieving a goal of India in 2050 because current background and present situation gives a clear idea of future. The creativity of scientist and basic research curiosity will be the key of future success. By viewing current scenario of biotechnology it can be said that it will help to both society as well as business.

VISION AND STRATEGY FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY SECTOR-BIOVISION 2050  

       Biotechnology is also helpful to another sectors like pharmaceutical, chemical, textiles, agricultural industries etc. Within 2050, various application of biotechnology like genetic modified food, human genome project, medical biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, industrial biotechnology will change situation of India. It will also create employment generation and expand intellectual, skillful entrepreneurial opportunities. It would be interested to know how every application of biotechnology influence the future of India and change the scenario.

1. GENETIC MODIFIED FOOD (GMO)

        Genetic modification is a special set of technology to modify the genetic make up of the organism such as animals, plants or bacteria. Combining genes from different organism and to obtain GM product (it is in underdevelopment stage) likes medicine and vaccines.
       The time is near when we can see the crops which will be insects and herbicides resistance, fruits which have our desired colors and nutrients. There are some countries who have already started the production of genetic modified crop includes U.S, Argentina, Brazil, India. Canada etc. The next few decades will see exponential progress in GM product development.
       In future, we can see the crop which has enhanced taste and quality, with rich nutrients and stress tolerance, improved resistance to disease, pests and herbicides.   Animals which yields much quality meat, eggs, and milk. Improved diagnostic method will helpful to animal heath. Bio plastics and bio fertilizer will take place of chemical plastics and   fertilizer which are easily degradable. So in future, better environment condition and better natural waste management system will help to reduce pollution. GM product will ultimately affect to economy because GM products can be produced by using less resources, less raw material and it gives quality product.

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
1)  Technology offers dramatic promise for meeting some of the greatest challenges. Genetic modification also pose some of problems like safety of human   health, ethical issues like stress for animals, tampering  with nature by mixing genes among species, food security. So improvement of GM food is important but at the same time equal importance should be given to resolve such problems.
2)  Encouragement given to discoveries of new genes for making a product better
3)  More laboratories and gene bank should be developed.

2. HUMAN GENOME PROJECT

         Human genome project is revolutionary step in mankind prosperity. Technology and resources generated by human genome project are having great impact on research across life science.
        The human genome project was an internationally scientific research project with a primary goal to determine the map of approximately 20,000-25,000 human genes and chemical base pairs which makes of DNA. It was begin in 1990 and gets completed in June 2003, with further analysis still being published. The main objective of human genome project is to understand the genetic make up of human species.
        The Human genome project is completed but interpretation of collected data is being still in the initial stages. The detail of human genome provides new advancement in medical and biotechnology.
         In future,  there would easy ways to administer genetic tests that easily show a variety of illness including some incurable diseases like cancers, liver diseases, Alzheimer’s diseases. The study of DNA sequences is also opening new avenues in the study of evolution. So in future we can have the answer of most complicated and interesting question, how life is existed on the earth?
         Due to potential effects of human genome project, in 2050 there would be a permanent use of molecular medicine which directly deal with human gene and it will identify diseases and also a treatments to cure the diseases.  HGP also has environmental, agricultural, live stock breeding, and bio processing application. The main change we can see in few decades ahead due to HGP is that different parameters of crime activities will change because forensic science will be strong enough to solve the case and identify the criminal. HGP helps to identify potential suspects who’s DNA may match with evidences left at crime scenes. It also helps to identify or exonerate a person wrongly accused in crime activities. HGP is said to have all this application but implementation may take long time.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
1)  Forensic department should establish education and training center to guide professionals. Government must encourage forensic experts to research.
2)  Approval of use of molecular medicine practice
3)  Other option should be available in case of side effects of any medical treatment.

3. AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
       In agriculture field, biotechnology means use of much less energy and water, and product we get should be   cheaper, more nutritious and more plentiful. Crops are generally engineered to adapt local growing condition and to obtain much product. The spectrum of biotechnology in agriculture is very wide. Agricultural field achieves   milestones due to biotechnology. It can be said that green revolution in India is almost due to biotechnology.
      The main application of biotechnology in agricultural is the production of genetic modified crops which will be insect resistance, more nutritious, and rich quality. Nowadays the production of BT cotton and golden rice are increased by various countries. Research is going on the production of some other plants. In future, we can see so many genetically modified crops which have our desired characteristics. India is the country where more importance is given to agriculture, so farmers should trained to use different technologies and days are not so far when we can see the different farming styles, and different product like square watermelon, hybrid of tomato and potato etc..

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

1)  Training programs for farmers to make them aware about latest technology as well as to give them knowledge about genetic modified crops, bio plastics, bio fertilizers.
2)  Scientists and research persons should be encouraged and supported to develop technologies which can easily utilize by farmers.
3)  Private and public sectors should work together

4 .INDUSRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

The development of industrial biotechnology is also very significant. It can be referred as use of   fermentation technology to produce liquors and beverages. Bio-pesticides, bio-fuel are chemical substances which obtained by conversion of renewable sources such as sugar or vegetable oil.
      If we think about changes from 2010 to2050, industrial biotechnology will play an important role because of its ecological advantages. Industries use crude oil and gas as raw material but now agricultural crops take place of that.
       The roles of biotechnology in different industries enable us to think about changes take place in future because almost in all industries biotechnology is involved. Various industries like 1) in health care there will be use of molecular diagnostic immunoassay 2) Pharmaceutical industry needs molecular drugs 3) chemical industry needs bio compound and enzymes 4) food and beverages industry cannot survive without fermentation 5) paper and pulp industries needs enzymatic bio-pulping, bio-leaching 6) metal and mining, gas and oil, security and utility everywhere biotechnology is needed. In India biotechnology is now at initial level so in 2050 some industries will be totally different.
  
STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

1)  To grow and nurture cells of yeast and bacteria so it can easily provide when industries demand.
2)  Develop action plans to reduce pollution.
3)  Small industries need to be encouraged in this sector.
4)      Product development will be focused on vaccines, diagnostics, new therapies based on cell and tissue replacement
  
5. MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

By 2050, World will be transformed totally, most infectious diseases have been entirely disappeared. A vaccine for Alzheimer’s has greatly increased the chances for older people to live active life. 95% body parts can be replaceable with laboratory grown organ, and cost for that would be cheaper. Molecular medicine will be provided to patients on the basis of his/her genetic system. Gene therapy will bring tremendous change in the history of medical science. Gene therapy is a therapy which used to cure disease like cancer by replacing affected gene by new gene. In 2050, there will be vaccines available for almost all kinds of diseases; it may be in the form of edible (eatable) vaccines, or DNA vaccines which treats any disease easily.
    
        In coming years, medical biotechnology may offer a significant possibility for industry to establish strong pharmacy sector. The Indian vaccine industry is also emerging as a source of low-cost vaccine. In-vitro fertilization and stem cell therapy is current innovation of medical biotechnology which will helpful to society and many more technologies are in an experimental phase.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS

1)  DNA and stem cell banking facilities should be created.
2)  Regulation for human engineered product
3)  Any decision should be taken by balancing ethical values.
4)  Basic and applied research would be supported in molecular and cellular biology, genomics, and stem cell biology.

 OBSTACLES AND FEARS

Though biotechnology offer dramatic promise for meeting some of the great challenges of 21st century, it also posses some problems. The main obstacles in a path of biotechnology progress are human and environment safety like potential human health impact, spreading of allergens, transfer of antibiotic effect. It also creates ethical problems like 1) violation of natural organism 2)tampering with nature by mixing gene among species 3)give stress to animal etc. Use of genetic food in future is a debatable topic. In-vitro fertilization and stem cell therapy are also facing ethical problems. Some applications of biotechnology are bio-fuels and bioterrorism which may create a problem to environment.
      People fear of biotechnology because they believe that it will harm to their health or environment, cloning will diminish the dignity of human life and biotechnology will lead to more dangerous society

CONCLUSION

In 21st era, India is growing in a rapid way. Other countries of the world have much expectation from India. Biotechnology is emerging sector and this sector has potential to change scenario of India. So many inventions are taking place nowadays which helps in progress of India. Biotechnology is applicable in almost every field like medical, industrial or agricultural. It is sure that proper implementation of biotechnology in industry, medical or agricultural will bring out the new face of India. Though there may be some controversies or ethical issues but we should look at ahead on India’s future and try to provide something better to next generation.

REFERENCE

1) Department of biotechnology, India
2) www.genomics.com
3) Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (genetic modified food       and human genome project)
4) Electronic journal of biotechnology
5) Monsanto company
6) www.sciencedaily.com

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