The word “Biotechnology” has been mired in controversy particularly since the arrival of the infamous transgenic crop variety Bt Cotton. Heated discussions have been happening in both scientific and political circles. To get a clarification on this issue, we met with the eminent professor.

Q: The stem cell culture research has raised a lot of ethical issues. Would this hinder the progress of this field of science?

A: Since stem cell culture use human embryos, it is obvious that controversy will cloud this issue. In the developed world, Christian theologists have strongly objected against the use of embryos. On these guidelines, the US Government has stopped further research on embryonic stem cells since June 2002.

But stem cell lines already in use before that date are legally allowed. But here in India, the apex body, Indian Council for Medical Research, has allowed the use of embryos of up to 14 days for research purposes.

However, since this issue continues to be surrounded in controversy, it is better to look at the adult stem cell culture. Adult stem cells are donor cells and they have been very well used for various applications like bone marrow or skin replacement.

Let us use this possibility rather than get into human embryo controversy. Since in India regulations are not rigidly adhered to, it is better to be cautious.

Already the National Centre for Cell Sciences in Pune is in the news for human skin culture.

Q: Satisfactory results have been found in the field trials of Bt Cotton in India. Do you feel now it is ready for commercial sowing?

A: Some scientists are still not satisfied by the results, since it’s been just a single sowing season till now. We need to be extra careful with the protocols while sowing a Bt Cotton. I doubt our farmers can maintain protocols like growing normal cotton as refugee crop around the Bt variety.

Moreover, since the cost of the Bt seeds are four to five times higher than normal, any farmer will think twice before buying the seeds. But considering all factors, like the high exposure to toxic pesticides, recurring crop failure, high investment and lower quality, Bt Cotton still has an edge over the normal ones. But on the commercial side, we have to be careful of incidents like the Gujarat Navbharat seeds, which have been found to be fake Bt seeds. Unlike hybrid variety, transgenic crops do not lose their properties in the next generations.

Constant monitoring has to be done to see that the pests do not affect the crop.

Q: Natural gene transfer occurs in nature only due to mutations. But an animal gene being transferred to a plant is rare. What is your take on it?

A: Everyone knows that gene transfer is happening all the time in nature. But you will not be able to determine the time scale. A rare event like a viral attack or a radiation exposure cannot trigger mutations. This mutation can also cause animal gene manifestation in plants or vice versa. Since genetics is a very complicated issue, we need lot more experience to understand all its aspects.

Q: Since there has been a lot of hype about human genomics, do you think that work on plant genomics will be sidelined.?

A: It may be sidelined for the present, particularly in the developed world. It is obvious that the western countries have emphasised on human health in their biotech research, since that is their prime concern.

Moreover, overproduction of food crops might be the reason that they have sidelined plant genomic studies. But India cannot afford to ignore research in plant biotech, since food security is still our major concern. So we should not blindly follow the westerners.

Thankfully our scientists have their own independent research going on. Work is on full swing on finding vaccines for infectious diseases, which is high priority for us.

Q: India seems to have taken a big lead in advanced research on Biotechnology. But will it again become a camp follower or can it do innovative research?

A: We do have our own research on various issues like controlling infectious diseases and developing pest resistant crops. Surely developing vaccines for infectious diseases is high priority here. However, the international funds coming in for biotech are mainly for Biopharma and drug discovery projects. So it is again leading us to become camp followers.

Moreover, the technology being used here is all from the developed world. And since most of the processes are patented inventions, we can’t claim ownership for research. But since many institutions like CCMB, IISc, NCBS are all working on the fundamentals, we can rest assured that soon India will take a lead.

Q: So do you feel there will be a boom in job opportunities in Biotech and allied sciences?

A: Talking of job opportunities in this field, I can clearly say it is going to be different from the infotech sector. We have an overflow of skilled manpower right now. But since more and more companies are entering Biotech, opportunities are opening up. However, Indian researchers are being viewed as skilled labour rather than technology providers. But in Bioinformatics we Indians have a definite edge over others and we should capitalise on this potential.

Q: What is the activity happening right now in Biochemistry Dept in Indian Institute of Science?

A: Right now we are studying the basic biology of the pathogens causing infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. We are also working on identifying DNA vaccine for rabies.

Issue BG25 April03

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