India: Biotechnology Research and Development

Posted by Biomechanism 

(“Biomechanism.com“) — Biotechnology has transformed many parts of the chemical industry, agriculture, and medicine. This area of science has little demarcation between basic and applied research, and new discoveries and innovations, in most cases, can find direct application.

Innovations, techniques, and tools that have emerged and revolutionized modern biotechnology include genetic engineering, cell fusion technology, bioprocess technologies, and structure-based molecular designs including drug development, drug targeting, and drug delivery systems.

In the 1980s the Government of India considered the need for creating a separate institutional framework to strengthen biology and biotechnology research in the country. Scientific agencies supporting research in modern biology included:

• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR),
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),
• Department of Science and Technology, and
• University Grants Commission.

Biotechnology was given an important boost in 1982 with the establishment of the National Biotechnology Board. Its priorities were human resource development, creation of infrastructure facilities, and supporting research and development (R&D) in specific areas. The success and impact of the National Biotechnology Board prompted the Government to establish a separate Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in February 1986.

There have been major accomplishments in areas of basic research in agriculture, health, environment, human resource development, industry, safety, and ethical issues.

Author: Manju Sharma

View the full paper here: India: Biotechnology Research and Development (PDF)
References
French, C.E., S.J. Rosser, G.J. Davies, S. Nicklin, and N.C. Bruce. 1999. Biodegradation of explosives by transgenic plants expressing pentaerythritol tetranitrate reductase. Nature Biotechnology 17(5) May, 491-4.

James, C. 1998. Global Review of Transgenic Crops: 1998. ISAAA Brief No. 8. Ithaca, N.Y.: International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications.