Other States - Pondicherry   

Swaminathan calls for setting up of national biotechnology regulatory authority

Special Correspondent

Increased food production will require accelerated efforts to boost land productivity Ability to harmonise organic farming and new genetics crucial, says scientist

SCIENCE MEET: M. S. Swaminathan, Chairman of the National Commission on Farmers, Pondicherry Lt. Governor M. M. Lakhera and the Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University, A. K. Bhatnagar, at the inauguration of the 75th session of National Academy of Sciences India in Pondicherry on Thursday. — Photo:T. Singaravelou

PONDICHERRY: Lt. Governor of Pondicherry M.M. Lakhera on Thursday called for integration of the international scientific community for effective practice of science.

Inaugurating the platinum jubilee of the National Academy of Sciences India (NASI) in Pondicherry University, Mr. Lakhera said there was need to create a synergy of the best scientific minds in the world to maximise the impact of resources. There should be a joint commitment to work for the benefit of the entire human race and not just for a privileged minority to make the new century hunger and poverty free.

If India wanted to become a genuine superpower in science, a science and technology policy that ensured that the country remained secure militarily, socially and economically must be implemented.

Chairman of the National Commission on Farmers M.S. Swaminathan, who delivered the platinum jubilee lecture on "Shaping our genome future," said that to measure up to the call given by Prime Minister that food production should be doubled from 210 million tons to 420 million tons within the next ten years, there should be accelerated scientific efforts in increasing land productivity.

Dr. Swaminathan, who is also president of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said that "our ability to achieve a paradigm shift from green to ever green revolution and to face challenges of global warming and sea level rise will depend upon our ability to harmonise organic farming and new genetics." He reiterated that a national biotechnology regulatory authority, covering agriculture and food, environment, medical and pharmaceutical biotechnology should also be put in place.

A genetic-literacy movement should be launched by establishing genome clubs in educational institutionsand grass roots democratic institutions. A national biosecurity centre was also essential and bio-ethics was the pathway to bio-security. He expressed concern over "certain distressing happenings in certain parts of the country among farmers" and said there was a need to revive the agricultural destiny.

Presiding over the function, NASI president V.P Kamboj spoke on "Traditional medicine: an opportunity for India." As per the World Health Organisation estimates, he said, 65 per cent of Indians, 40 per cent of Chinese and 71 per cent of Chileans used traditional medicine for primary health care in rural areas. He said in the last decade, there was renewed interest in traditional medicine globally and it was gaining popularity in developed countries.

Major opportunity

He said he could see a major opportunity for India to achieve economic security through judicious marketing of its traditional medicine. Traditional medicine, including naturaceuticals [health foods] should be given priority and policy makers should be apprised of the fact that traditional medicine has a long development period before reaching the market. The drugs would yield equal if not more economic wealth and engage more rural manpower. Earlier, A.K. Bhatnagar, Vice-Chancellor, said it was a matter of pride that the university had been chosen by NASI as venue for its platinum jubilee celebrations.

Dr. Swaminathan received the first copy of a souvenir released by Mr. Lakhera on the occasion.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Swaminathan calls for setting up of national biotechnology regulatory authority
HCL job interview

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu