Biotechnology

Introduction:

Intro 1: 

BT is that area of biology that uses living processes, organisms, or systems to manufacture products or technology intended to improve quality of human life.

Intro 2: 

Biotechnology is a broad field that involves the use of living organisms, cells, and biological systems to develop products and technologies for various applications. It integrates principles from biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and other disciplines to manipulate biological processes for industrial, medical, agricultural, and environmental purposes.

Intro 3: 

Biotechnology is a field that combines biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science to develop products and processes that improve our lives. It uses living organisms or their byproducts to create medicines, food, and other useful products.

Branches

1. 1. Blue: Marine and Aquatic Applications
2. 2. Green: Agricultural Processes
3. 3. Red: Medical
4. 4. White: Industrial

Significance:

1. 1. Food Security: More productive and drought resistant crops, tolerant of other stress like pest, insect etc.
2. 2. Tackling Disease: finding solutions to Corona/Ziko virus, antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
3. 3. Bioenergy: use of bioethanol and biodiesels.
4. 4. Advancement in drugs: better innovation and cost-effective drugs.
5. 5. Biofortification to improve nutritional quality of food crops.
6. 6. Animal Biotechnology: To improve the productivity of livestock.
7. 7. Bioremediation: To consume and break down environmental pollutants.
8. 8. Stem cell therapy.

Initiatives Taken

• • India's first national repository for life science data
• - 'Indian Biological Data Center' {IBDC) inaugurated at Faridabad, Haryana.
• • Higher Budget allocation to promote research and development, agriculture biotechnology, etc.
• • 75 Amrit Grants worth Rs. 10-15 crore announced for biotech projects involving startups, industry, academia, and research organisations working together.
• • 100% FDI under the automatic route for greenfield projects.
• • Biotechnology Parks and Incubators across the country.
• • Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech Mission by DBT.

Challenges

• • • • • Complex (IPR) Intellectual Property Right regime
    • • Section J(d) of the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005: strict standards thereby dampening foreign investment.
    • • Compulsory licensing: al lows government power to suspend a patent in times of health emergencies.
    • • Lack of Marketisation: Most of the early research funding runs out before marketisation phase.
    • • Lack of public awareness about modern tools of biotechnology.
    • • Less Lucrative as number and quality of jobs offered is less.
    • • Lack of Regulatory mechanism.

Way Forward

1. • Ecosystem of innovation in which scientists, innovators and future entrepreneurs could be nurtured.
2. • Collaboration between government and industry for improving IP regime.
3. • Increase in investment towards R&D and building human capital.
4. • Funding Mechanism for national importance ideas and Strategic Road Map for industry-based R&D.
5. • Extending Reach to other fields of study.

Author: Arjun Kr. Paul, Faculty ACS