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Neem meets to discuss research trends Scientists from across the globe would gather in Mumbai at 4th World Neem Conference from November 27-30, ’02 to discuss the latest frontiers in research related to neem, India's wonder tree. It would bring together research scholars, processors, administrators, organic growers, and voluntary agencies dealing with neem and safer lifestyle alternatives as a whole and promote sharing of experience amongst participating countries and agencies. The conference is being organized by the Neem Foundations in collaboration with industry, government agencies and research organizations. (Courtesy: The Economic Times, September 19) AP State's second bio-tech centre coming up near Eluru A second bio-technology centre is being set up in the AP state near Eluru by the Department of Horticulture in collaboration with the Pune-based National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) to produce tissue culture plants and provide leaf analysis and water testing facilities. The Minister said with an allocation of Rs 48.79 Crores for 2002-2003, the horticulture sector was expected to receive a big boost. Besides fruits and vegetables, floriculture, apiculture, spices, ornamental and medicinal plants and mushrooms are the thrust areas. (Courtesy- The Hindu, August 24) MP scientists develop three new varieties of high-yielding wheat The regional wheat research station in Indore has developed three new varieties of wheat that will increase the yield and are disease resistant. The research station's principal scientist and head H N Pandey said that HI-1479, HI-1500 and HI-8653 have been developed in natural conditions and would be formally released sometime next month. Of the three, HI-1479 and HI-1500 are of bread wheat variety while the third one is a durum wheat. He said, that the variety was developed specially for this region. (Courtesy- The Economic Times, July, 23) Ambitious programme under AP-Netherlands biotech project The Andhra Pradesh-Netherlands Biotechnology Programme which received Rs 27.5 crores as assistance for its second phase effective April this year, has chalked out a grand schedule for the coming years. Included in the schedule are field tests in two or three years of transgenic varieties of priority crops such as sorghum, pigeonpea, castor and groundnut, whose diseases and drought problems have addressed by the genetic engineering projects taken up by the programme. (Courtesy- The Hindu, July, 17) Study finds pesticide ‘highly hazardous’ The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have found that the controversial endosulfan pesticide is highly hazardous to health and environment. The liver and kidney are the main organs affected by it in long exposure studies. A moderately high dose of endosulfan can cause anemia. A high dose can lead to death. Endosulfan is organic chlorine. Its common trade names in India are agrosulphan, thiodon, endocel, ver-fru thiotox. These are persistent organic pollutants (POP). There is now a move to ban POPs worldwide because of their link to cancer and long-term effects on humans, the immune system and reproduction. (Courtesy- The Hindu, July, 10) Demand for Biotech Seed to reach $3.8 billion in 2006 The world demand for genetically improved seeds is expected to increase 12% per year to $3.8 billion in 2006, according to a study by the The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland, Ohio-based research firm. Arable land planted with transgenic crops is expected to increase 7.2% per year to 184 million acres over the same period. The US, Argentina, Canada and China will dominate the plantings of such crops, the study said, and will account for nearly 85% of total genetically improved seed sales in 2006. (Courtesy- Biotechnology Global Update, June 2002) GM crops: gene transfer possible through pollen Research just published in the journal Science indicates that pollen from genetically modified (GM) mustard could carry artificially introduced genes up to 3Km away, much further than previously thought. The study, carried out in Australia, would be of particular interest to scientists and environmentalists in India. The Centre cleared India’s first GM crop for commercial release just a few months ago and GM mustard could become the next crop to receive regulatory approval. (Courtesy-The Hindu, June, 28) Bangalore varsity finds a cure for tomato virus An Indian agriculture university has finally found the answer to highly destructive virus in tomatoes that have hit productivity in the country and abroad. The three virus-resistant varieties of tomatoes developed by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore also reduces cost of cultivation and are pesticide-free. (Courtesy-The Economic Times, 28th June) India forging ahead in biotech The Indian biotechnology industry, which stands sixth in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of the number of companies, is poised to emerge as a significant force on the global biotech map, says a report by global consultants, Ernst and Young. Although India is far behind Australia and Korea, a rapid growth is forecast for the biotech industry in the country due to rising public interest in the sector, growing investments by traditional business houses and tax incentives. (Courtesy- The Hindu, June 23rd 2002) Funds crunch hits rice research A tight squeeze on funding by developed countries has severely hit research programme of the Manila based IRRI in rainfed varieties of rice that are resistant to drought floods and salinity. As a result, IRRI has decided to downscale its research efforts and has cut back on its research in this sphere by almost 50%. (Courtesy-The Hindu, 26th June) Golden millet is desi solution Scientists in Hyderabad have developed ‘Golden millet’, a potential alternative to ‘golden rice’ that is being promoted by multinationals for preventing blindness caused by vitamin-A deficiency in the Third World. Scientists at ICRISAT who developed the golden millet say its yellow grains contain beta-carotene at levels comparable to that of golden rice. Golden millet is rich in beta-carotene is a product of natural genetic variation and no genetic engineering is involved. (Courtesy-The Economic Times, 25th June) Plants to clean hazardous waste sites The US National Science Foundation and the Environmental protection Agency gave $2.22 million in six grants to US universities to study how plants may be used to clean soils contaminated by organic chemicals or heavy metals through a process called “phytoremediation”. Researchers believe that growing plants able to hyperaccumulate the toxins at the waste sites could greatly reduce the $400 billion spent in the US on cleaning up contaminated soil. Grants will be used to determine which genes enable certain plants to hyperaccumulate, tolerate, and detoxify compounds such as arsenic and cadmium. Research suggests that such genes could be transferred to larger, faster-growing plant species to make more efficient phytoremediators. (Source-Nature Biotechnology, 20(4)) Farmers swears by biotechnology This year farmers will plant a record number of genetically improved crops. According to the US Department of Agriculture, 74% of soybean acres and 32% of corn acres will consist of genetically improved plants, up from last year’s rates of 68% and 26%, respectively. Biotechnology is actually good for the environment. By increasing crop yield, it allows the same amount of land to produce more food. This is good economics for farmers and consumers-but it also aids soil conservation. In developing countries, it decreases the pressure people face to turn rainforests into farmland. Genetically improved food is also good for the people who eat it. The science is still young, but we’ve already discovered ways to make food more nutritious. There is even a new variety of rice that fights vitamin A deficiency, which is a leading cause of blindness around the world. (Source-Biotechnology Global Update) Scientist unveil featherless fowl A new breed of featherless chicken is developed by the genetics faculty at the Rehovot agronomy institute near Tel Aviv. A scientist who unveiled the first genetically modifies featherless chicken on claims that it is environmentally friendly, fast growing and low in calories although it might catch cold in the British climate. The Israeli geneticist, Avigdor Cahaner, crossbred a small, bare-skinned bird with a regular broiler chicken to engineer the featherless fowl. His red-skinned prototype - called the naked chicken, is being heralded as the high-speed future of chicken farming. Dr Cahaner conceded that his featherless chickens would not be suitable everywhere. They might catch cold in chillier climates. (Courtesy-The Hindu) CM Chandrababu Naidu reiterates commitment to boost biotechnology s The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, has said that after years of painstaking research and development, “commercialization” of this frontier technology for the betterment of mankind was poised to grow exponentially. Mr. Naidu said biotechnology could help introduce new products and processes to give a ‘competitive edge’ over traditional ones in terms of effectiveness, productivity, cost and safety. It could help increase yields dramatically, lower labour costs and agricultural inputs, improve nutritional value of food crops, and produce environmentally benign weed and insect pest management. He was addressing scientists and entrepreneurs at a three-day International Conference in Hyderabad on “Emerging Trends in Biotechnology: Stem Cell-Technology, Potential and Trends”, organized by the All India Biotech Association, Southern Chapter jointly with the State Government and several other institutions. (Courtesy-The Hindu) DNA fingerprinting for Darjeeling tea in the offing The tea industry if finding a new use of DNA fingerprinting for protection of Darjeeling tea. Ina bid to check unscrupulous traders from misusing the Darjeeling tag, the Tea Board is working closely with the government on a number of measures including DNA fingerprinting of the premium variety so that fakes can be detected. The plan is at its preliminary stage, but the industry and the government are keen to pursue it, according to Tea Board chairman. (Courtesy-The Economic Times) Three export quality rice varieties released Three export quality rice varieties, CSR-30 (Yamini), Sugand-2 and Sugand-3, have been released by the Central Variety Release Committee of the Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), during 2001 to meet the demands of export competitiveness in the Basmati class of aromatic quality rice. Speaking at the 37 All India Rice Research Group Meeting of DRR, Project Director, DRR said out of the 16 hybrid rice varieties released, six were found to be highly adaptable and could yield more than a tonne per hectare over the best inbred variety. Deputy Director General, Crop Science, ICAR, said that the fears expressed over adoption of trasgenic technology were unfounded. He called on agricultural scientists and farmers to capitalise on Biotechnology to remove the hurdles in developing rice varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic pressures. He stressed the essential role of Biotechnology in deploying resistant genes to disease, insect pests and for improving quality. Vice-Chancellor, ANGRAU, appreciated the efforts of rice scientists for their contribution in the development of ‘super rice’, golden rice’, iron rich nutritious rice, high-yielding hybrid rice and other varieties. (Courtesy-The Hindu) |
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| Steps to Push
Biotech Businesses
The government is considering a proposal to set up a centre to create small biotechnology business in the southern city of Bangalore and taking up similar initiatives in other states. A proposal for setting up of Biotechnology Incubation Centre by Small Industries Service Institute at Bangalore in Karnataka is under discussion. Karnataka’s neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu already had a biotechnology park for women. The government plans to have frameworks in various states to promote biotechnology. States such as Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Uttaranchal are in the process of finalising proposals and implementation for biotechnology parks, Biotechnology City and similar structures in collaboration with the department of biotechnology. |
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The Karnataka Agriculture Commission submitted three short-term reports. On rationale for testing Bt.Cotton, agricultural biotechnology, and improving rice production efficiency and role of hybrid rice. more info... |
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Biotechnology the industry of the future with the potential to surpass the IT boom in size, growth and importance is becoming a focal point for Kerala. The State has formulated a biotech policy to protect preserve and utilize the rich resources available. Kinfra is developing bitch parks in Kochi, Thiruvanathapuram and Munnar. For the further development of biotechnology industries in the State a biotechnology industries in the State, a biotechnology meeting is being organised in Thriuvanathapuram. The concept behind the investors’ meet is to identify investors and to assess their needs thus ensuring that Biotech Parks will be tailor-made and fulfill all the requirements of the investors. The Investors’ Meet is organised by KINFRA with the assistance of the Dept of Biotechnology.Govt of India. Biotech Consortium India Ltd., Delhi, is the consultants for the event. The meeting will be attended by close to 20 investors and 10 experts from different parts of the country. Several Kerala based investors are also expected to participate in the meet, which will be inaugurated by the Industries Minister, Govt.of Kerala, Smt. Suseela Gopalan on 27th December 2000. Various industrialists will explain their expect experiences and what they expect Biotech Parks. The interactive session will provide potential investors with an opportunity and a forum to discuss their requirements in detail.
International Biotech Park (IBP), will be housed on part of the 500 acres being acquired for the second phase of the Hinjawadi IT Park. A formal announcement to this effect is expected to be made at the forthcoming IT/BT conference being held in Pune on December 16-17. The IBP will comprise three schools, for information technology, biotechnology and a school for developmental sciences. The financing of the entire project would be done through a mix of debt and equity instruments, which would be finalised after the first meeting of the task force scheduled for January,’01. The proposed IBP will offer graduate and post-graduate programmes besides housing an incubation centre for bio-tech start-ups. Since the bio-tech area is a multi-disciplinary one, the school for developmental sciences will offer courses in keeping with those requirements. These would include business management and foreign language, too. The R & D laboratories, Contract Research Organisations (CROs) will have support organisations like an International marketing subsidiary around a focal Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facility. The GMP is a certification without which no international level manufacturing can be done. This would be a large-scale, national facility for the manufacture of genetic products.
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During the three-day international exhibition cum conference the advances made in the field of biotechnology and related sciences and their applications in real life would be shown in New Delhi on November 29.the second biotechnology India, 2000 seeks to bring major industries like healthcare and biopharmaceuticals, agriculture and food sector under one umbrella with a view to promote India as the biotechnology investment destination.
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India and US Govt. will soon work out an arragement to explore ways of enhancing co-operation and exchanging information in case of joint collaborative projects and training of scientists in Agriculture Biotechnology Research. The two countries will coin new ties to make the capital market more efficient and transparent facilitate flow of foreign investment.
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A ‘Containment Glasshouse" covering about 1200 sq.ft. for transgenic plants has been established in Hyderabad by the international Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). The containment glasshouse includes insect-proof conditions, pollen filters, decontamination chambers for personal and equipment, negative pressure to air-borne dispersal and an effluent treatment plant to prevent soil and water borne dispersal. After inspection and approval by the Department of Biotechnology, ICRISAT will take possession of the facility. According to the ICRIST, an existing glasshouse has been converted into this containment facility. And this is stated to be the fourth of its kind in the country. |
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