November 22, 2001

        The government has decided to work for evolving a consensus amongst various groups on issues relating to biotechnology especially bio-safety, bio-ethics and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), keeping in view the interest of the country as a whole. In fact, it looks forward to active role of scientists and environmentalists to help out on these contentious issues. This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Science and Technology Shri Bachi Singh Rawat while inaugurating the 15^th National Conference on "In-House R&D in Industry", organised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, here today. This year the conference has taken up "Life Sciences and New Business Opportunities" as the theme, since bio-tech is witnessing new developments with larger commercialisation prospects.

        Pointing out that life sciences, particularly biotechnology, in which research and development is taking place at a rapid pace he said along with it have cropped up a number of vital issues which need attention on priority basis. Apart from bio-safety and IPR of the scientists, there are also issues like rights of the cultivators, animal experimentation and ethical issues connected with xeno-transplantation and cloning of large animals. He said there are certain groups which are vocal and have access to the media. There are also large silent groups like farmers whose interests are vitally at stake. India has a longstanding tradition of evolving consensus and we will do so in respect of these problems also, Shri Rawat said.

Turning to slow down of industrial growth globally, Shri Rawat said that one industry which is buoyant and growing strongly and would continue to grow in the foreseeeable future, no matter what happens, is the health-care industry which comprises medical services, manufacture of drugs and pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and disposables. What applies to health-care also applies to several sectors of life-sciences based industry. For this, we will have to further strengthen our R&D and efforts put in by the industry in this regard would be extremely rewarding, Shri Rawat said. The government is keen to do all it can to help life science sector grow both in terms of quantity and value of its products as well as its knowledge-base. A number of steps have already been taken in this connection and the private sector should come forward in a big way to work together with government labs, he averred.

        Presiding over the conference, the Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Dr. R.A. Mashelkar said responsible biotechnology has tremendous opportunities in the country. The world looks at India for leadership in this field. India should be considered a developed country because of its intellectual capital and potential, he said.

        Shri Rawat presented National Awards (2001) for Outstanding R&D achievements in Industry to 10 firms, both from the private and public sectors. They are ; Indian Oil Corporation, Faridabad ; Bharat Electronics, Ghaziabad ; S K Dynamics, Roorkee ; Tratec Engineers, New Delhi ; Hindustan Machine Tools, Hyderabad ; Kweng Alloys, Antalia ; Tata Iron and Steel, Jamshedpur ; Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers, Narmadanagar and E.I.L. , New Delhi ; Vatanu-cool Rotaryvanes, Pune and Mohana Orthotics and Prosthetics Centre, Chennai.