Express News Service
First Published : 06 Nov 2009 02:55:00 AM IST
Last Updated :
HYDERABAD: Biotechnology alone has the answer to the twin challenges of gloabl warming and population growth, Department of Biotechnology secretary MK Bhan says.
Reacting to widespread protests against the approval for Bt brinjal, Bhan says that the regulatory committee will approve its cultivation and consumption after taking all safety measures.
In a chat with Express, he says that the country’s population will reach 1.3 billion by the end of 2030 and Bt is the solution to the growing demand for foodgrains. ``We cannot close our eyes to science.
We are taking decisions on approving Bt varieties case by case.’’ Some drugs and vaccines have been withdrawn from the market as they are not safe for humans. He, however, assures that all safety measures will be taken by the regulatory committee while approving Bt brinjal and other products fit for consumption.
``Trials are being conducted in a scientific way and in accordance with the recommendations made by noted agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan. All Bt varieties of food are not transgenic.
In some cases, `novel makers’ are being identified for development.’’ On the Bt Regulatory Authority Bill, Bhan says that the law department has okayed the draft which will be placed before the Union Cabinet in the next ten days.
Once the bill is passed by Parliament, the Bt Regulatory Authority will regulate Bt agriculture. The Bt industry, which had a 40 per cent growth in the past, recorded 18 per cent growth last year due to the economic slowdown.
The present turnover of Bt in the country is $ 2.8 billion and is expected to reach $ 7 billion by 2013.
Turning to pharmaceutical research, Bhan says, research on malaria (Vivax), dengue, influenza, particularly H1N1 virus, is being conducted in the country. Of the 270 biotech companies in the country, if one or two are grown into larger companies the country will be self-sufficient in pharmaceutical and other sectors, he notes.
First Published : 06 Nov 2009 02:55:00 AM IST
Last Updated :
HYDERABAD: Biotechnology alone has the answer to the twin challenges of gloabl warming and population growth, Department of Biotechnology secretary MK Bhan says.
Reacting to widespread protests against the approval for Bt brinjal, Bhan says that the regulatory committee will approve its cultivation and consumption after taking all safety measures.
In a chat with Express, he says that the country’s population will reach 1.3 billion by the end of 2030 and Bt is the solution to the growing demand for foodgrains. ``We cannot close our eyes to science.
We are taking decisions on approving Bt varieties case by case.’’ Some drugs and vaccines have been withdrawn from the market as they are not safe for humans. He, however, assures that all safety measures will be taken by the regulatory committee while approving Bt brinjal and other products fit for consumption.
``Trials are being conducted in a scientific way and in accordance with the recommendations made by noted agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan. All Bt varieties of food are not transgenic.
In some cases, `novel makers’ are being identified for development.’’ On the Bt Regulatory Authority Bill, Bhan says that the law department has okayed the draft which will be placed before the Union Cabinet in the next ten days.
Once the bill is passed by Parliament, the Bt Regulatory Authority will regulate Bt agriculture. The Bt industry, which had a 40 per cent growth in the past, recorded 18 per cent growth last year due to the economic slowdown.
The present turnover of Bt in the country is $ 2.8 billion and is expected to reach $ 7 billion by 2013.
Turning to pharmaceutical research, Bhan says, research on malaria (Vivax), dengue, influenza, particularly H1N1 virus, is being conducted in the country. Of the 270 biotech companies in the country, if one or two are grown into larger companies the country will be self-sufficient in pharmaceutical and other sectors, he notes.
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