The Hindu Business Line : Working groups formed to deliberate biotech policy

The working groups would broadly deliberate on policy measures required to promote innovation and intellectual output; strategies to promote conversion of scientific knowledge to products; human resource, infrastructure, re-engineering of institutions; bio-business, trade and investments issues; regulation and legislation; biotech parks and public awareness. This was informed by the DBT Secretary, Dr M.K. Bhan, at a conference here. "Since the country already has a science and technology policy and the DBT has a mission statement, we have decided to focus on a biotech development policy that would address bio-enterprises and the biotech industry; areas where biotechnology can cater to societal problems, where market is not stable and private initiative is lacking; and create public trust in scientists, industry and regulators," said Dr Bhan.

He said that the working groups would study the working conditions required for scientists, whether a person could hold dual positions and whether some kind of legislation was required to enforce these new working conditions.

"The national biotechnology policy would be announced in January 2005," the Science and Technology Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, said at the conference.

DBT would also commission a HR survey by a private consulting firm to work out the best practices.

"In the long term, we would like to have an organisation run by professionals and backed by a school where regulators can be trained," he said when asked about the formation of a biotech regulator.

One of the major issues is formulating legal procedures for the import and export of bio-products in the country, said Dr Bhan. "We are studying methods to harmonise our rules and regulations with those of the US so that Indian approvals are recognised internationally," he added.