Biotechnology in India
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Department of Biotechnology
- A department under the Ministry of Science and Technology responsible for administrating development and commercialization in the field of modern biology and biotechnology in India.
- It was set up in 1986 and was among the first dedicated biotechnology department set up by any government.
Mandate
- Promote large scale use of Biotechnology
- Identify and Set up Centres of Excellence for R&D
- Establishment of infrastructural facilities to support R&D and production
- Support R&D and manufacturing in Biopharmaceuticals Industry
- Promote university and industry interaction.
- Integrated program for Human Resource Development
- To serve as Nodal point for specific international collaborations
- Evolve bio safety guidelines, manufacture, and application of cell-based vaccines
- Serve as nodal point for the collection and dissemination of information relating to biotechnology.
Achievements and Way Forward
DBT has made significant contributions by aligning its work to the national growth agenda and developing innovative solutions for the national missions of Swasth Bharat, Ayushman Bharat, Swatch Bharat, Startup India, Make in India, and Skill India.
Promoting Startup and entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) was set up to promote and nurture a vibrant startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem. It aims to foster excellence while supporting bio-innovations for societal benefits. Further, there is a plan to support more than a 1,000 startup.
International Cooperation: DBT and BIRAC have also initiated multiple collaborative research and development programs with several countries and philanthropic organizations.
Way forward:
- Strengthen research base -> strengthen department of biotechnology in various HEIs and research labs
- Ensure sustainability and scalability -> focus on core issues faced by India like poverty, hunger, Climate Change etc.
- Integration of new and emerging technologies -> linking biological science with data science, clinical research, and engineering sciences, is the way forward to prepare to meet the ambitious target of achieving a US$150 billion bioeconomy by 2025 and India becoming a US$100 billion biomanufacturing hub.
Conclusion: As we prepare ourselves for a new world, our focus must be on the importance of indigenous research and development of impact-driven innovation. This is the key to our march towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat.