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The VIF under its S&T series organized a talk on “Role of Biotechnology for Society, Health, and Food Safety: A Modern Perspective” by Prof Naveen Kumar Navani, Professor, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, and Dean of Academic Affairs, IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand, on 23 October 2024. Prof Navani’s talk focused on the application of biotechnology in developing Smart and Functional Food for enhancing immunity and life span. On the risk side of biotechnology, he touched on the bioterror agents, including the evolution of viral pathogens. On the positive side, he highlighted the role of biotechnology in helping mitigate pollutants like micro plastics. He discussed the importance of healthcare & diagnostics, the microbiome, and its potential role in making Bharat a healthier nation. On the nutritional biotechnology, he touched on some of the work which has been done towards enhancing the nutritional security as well as antiaging. In a nutshell, the presentation focused on the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of biotechnology. Director, Dr Arvind Gupta chaired the session. Senior government officials and members from the strategic community participated in the discussion.

Biotechnology uses biology to develop new products, methods, and organisms to improve human health and society. Biotechnology has existed since the beginning of civilization, starting with the domestication of plants and animals. While biotechnology allows us to transform food, treat water, develop sustainable materials, and design vaccines, among many other things. Yet, the modern advances in this field also raise potential risks and ethical considerations, particularly in genetic engineering and cloning. So, biotechnology comes with its own disadvantages and misuse. One of the main disadvantages of biotechnology is the misuse of biotechnology for biological warfare. So, the same organisms which can do so good for the society. They can be tailored, engineered to cause havoc on humanity.

Biotechnology plays a crucial role in enhancing food security by addressing challenges faced in agriculture and food production. Biotechnology improves food security through increasing crop yields, enhancing nutritional value, improving food safety, promotes sustainable agriculture by reducing pesticide use, improving soil health and also by developing crops that are more resistance to climate change impacts. Food security is an important issue for India and also for the world. The issue of food security is now become a very important part of India’s diplomacy as well. So, it is pertinent to explore the development of smart and functional foods, such as fermented bread made from millets. At the same time, there is need to develop technology to take millet-based bread from lab level to pilot scale level for market production. In this regard, need to spread knowledge about the biodiversity and traditional food preservation techniques in India, including in collaboration with other institutions.

Biotechnology is revolutionizing healthcare with advancements in diagnostics, telemedicine, wearable devices, and genetic engineering. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are now playing important role in quick detection of diseases, bacteria, and viruses. RTPCR detection, a contribution of biotechnology, has become a household name. However, antibiotic resistance is a major problem, with bacteria evolving resistance against antibiotics due to improper usage. 70 percent of antibiotics produced worldwide are used in the animal sector, contributing to antibiotic resistance in the environment. The research team has developed an alternative formulation of antibiotics, TaMYaA, which is inspired by basic ayurveda principles. On the medical biotechnology diagnostics, the world has just come out of Covid scare. There is now better understanding of the importance of diagnostics, and timely vaccine development, where biotechnology has helped a lot and can still do a lot more.

It was noted that a balanced microbiome is essential for good health, and a diet high in fiber, fermented foods, and polyphenol-rich foods promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria. For personalized microbiome, advanced technology allows for the analysis of an individual's microbiome, providing insights into their health and personalized dietary recommendations. Consumption of foods rich in omega fatty acids, probiotics, and prebiotics is important for maintaining a healthy body. It is crucial to motivate the younger population to adopt healthy habits to contribute towards a healthier society in India. Research is being conducted on the use of good bacteria and prebiotics in food products to promote health. Notably, biotechnology can be used for commercial purposes to make a lot of products. So, the bioeconomy now is going to pick up in coming decade.

Moreover, biotechnology can be used for environment remediation. A great amount of genomic sequencing data can be used which is called bioinformatics. Researchers at the IIT Roorkee are trying to develop a system whereby the plastic is degraded in the sewage, through a process which is called as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. At the same time, these pathogens are also killed in the sewage itself. The importance of developing a magnetic system for degrading plastic in aquatic systems and the possibility of reusing the magnetic nano system were highlighted in the meeting.

India at present is world leader in knowledge economy, which is limited to IT sector only. It has a very rich heritage and has made intellectual contribution to the world. It needs to become the world leader in other areas also and inspire a new generation of people. However, much discussion on biotechnology is not taking place in this country. It was underlined that a rich philosophy is attached to yoga and ayurveda. The philosophical and scientific basis of yoga and ayurveda need to be brought out to the public so that their true value can be understood Moreover, it was recommended to increase awareness and education about bioterrorism and its potential threats. The need for a National Bioterrorism Disaster Management plan and developing collaboration between scientific institutions was underlined. It was suggested to develop technologies to detect category C pathogens quickly; and, to use biotechnology for developing vaccines and antibiotics to combat category C pathogens. It is pertinent to further study and find opportunities for India to position itself as a global leader in biotechnology.