Will BT usher in next round of Indian billionaires?

Tuesday, 18 March 2003, 20:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: Will biotechnology (BT) usher the next round of Indian billionaires after IT? Two trailblazers of the genomic revolution could provide the answer here later this week. Alan Colman, creator of the world's first cloned sheep Dolly, and J. Craig Venter will speak about the country's potential to harness its abundant bio-diversity and scientific talent to usher in a new revolution. They will be the star speakers at the Knowledge Millenium, third in a series held every two years, that will be inaugurated by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on March 21. "Over 50 internationally acclaimed speakers will share their perceptions on the essential steps required to harness the wealth of India's scientific knowledge and create bio-billionaires," said K.L. Chugh, chairman of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), which is organising the three-day meet. The Knowledge Millenium is now looking ten years ahead, said R.A. Mashelkar, director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a member of the organising committee. "Knowledge of BT in India resides mostly in government-run institutions. The three-day meet will enable the industry to study how to link that knowledge with the market," Chugh told reporters here. For scientific knowledge to grow and for society to benefit, Chugh said the focus should be on 'Rich scientist, rich India; Poor scientist, poor India.' To this end, CSIR has started patenting its research results and is looking to commercialise some its internationally registered patents to help India's scientific pool reap economic benefits. Experts will also focus on the ethical aspects as India looks to meet its food and nutrition security needs through biotechnology and genetically modified food varieties and on bio-drugs on the health.
Source: IANS
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