HYDERABAD: Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, Seyed E. Hasnain, has said though lot has been done in the field of genetics research, particularly gene sequence, there is much more left to do.

Speaking at an international symposium on "Frontiers in genetics and biotechnology -- retrospect and prospect," organised by the Department of Biotechnology, Osmania University here on Sunday, he said 6,000 genes had been identified in human beings that are responsible for causing diseases and many more gene sequences would come out in future research.

He said though developments in the field of genes paved the way for new medicines, a lot more could be achieved to counter diseases like cancer.

Onus on researchers

Researchers from genetics and microbiology have a great deal of work to do in this regard. He reminded that people were looking for personalised medicines than generalised ones and the future holds good for developing top class medicines at very cheap prices due to the advances made in biotechnology.

K.I. Varaprasad Reddy, Managing Director, Shantha Biotechnics, said new technologies can be developed that are efficient and potent and produce cheaper medicines for the benefit of the common man. Osmania University Vice-Chancellor Suleiman Siddiqui and P.B. Kavi Kishor, Head, Department of Genetics, spoke. Some 850 delegates are participating in the three-day conference of which 25 have come from countries like Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

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