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Approval of Bio safety laws stressed
Lahore: Biotechnology experts in a seminar
organized by the Punjab University here on Wednesday have
demanded of the government to approve the Bio safety
guidelines, which are lying with the Ministry of Environment
for the last eight years and so far the sole hinderence in the
development of this technology in the country.
In the seminar, which was organized by
the Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology Punjab
University, with the cooperation of Monsanto Pakistan a multi
national engaged in bio tech research in Pakistan. was
attended by leading experts of bio technology in the country.
The seminar was meant to create awareness amongst the masses
through print journalism and make even the media men aware
about this important emerging technology.
It was the first ever formal gathering in
the provincial metropolis Lahore, against the ongoing
propaganda by some of the ‘foreign funded’ non government
organizations (NGOs), who are opposing the bio technology in
the developing world by tooth and nails. The organizers were
of the firm belief that there should be an inter action
between the journalist community and scientists to create
better awareness about this issue amongst the masses.
In his presidential address, Dr Kausar A
Malik, Member Bioscience Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
Islamabad said that there were no laws to protect the right of
researchers and anybody could have stolen the new seeds,
breeds and technologies developed by the domestic scientists.
He was greatly concerned about the ongoing campaign against
the bio technology in the country saying “these elements are
highly misguided and don’t know what the humanity would have
to face otherwise”.
He said that he had drafted bio safety
guidelines in 1994 and sent a draft for approval to the
government. However, nobody even discussed it before the
arrival of Omer Asghar Khan, as the minister for environment.
Omer Asghat Khan invited different NGO’s who were opposing the
approval of these laws and had their consent in January 2001
and that very laws was given final shape. However, it was not
less than a pity that same final draft of law was still lying
with Baboos of Ministry and any it was yet to
rule the field.
Comparing it with other SAARC member
countries he said that Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India has
already given its approval, while we are still waiting for
such node.
No bio technology development could be
released for the general farmers in the absent of these laws
which are meant to govern the technology, he said while
throwing light on the importance of these laws.
He said that Pakistan has done a lot in
the field of bio technology but an emphatic handshake between
the research institutions and commercial organizations was a
must to capitalize the gains made in research front, he added.
He said that there would be no foreign
investment and other activities by any of the multi national
company in the agriculture until and unless these laws made
effective in the country. Many multi national companies are
shying away from expanding their business or releasing their
product in this country in the absence of such protective
laws, he added.
He said that Pakistan was also bound
under the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime to finalize
these laws by December 2000 for the protection of the research
patents of different varieties of commodities developed
locally. Nobody could have dare to get register Basmati
in his name in the USA, should the bio protection laws
are in field in Pakistan, he added.
He said that such a joint venture was
discussed during the Shahbaz Sharif government with a multi
national company, which was ready bring in new technology yet
the company went back observing that there was no law of land
present to govern this industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Anwar Nasim,
Chairman National Commission on Bio Technology said that he
was astonished to know that bio technology has been declared
as the top priority of the country and what heed was being
paid to this sector so far.
He said that Pakistan could have great
benefit from this technology, should it has been done through
the planned manners. He said that both the information and bio
technologies have great role to play in the future development
of this country.
He said that those who are opposing this
technology should have told us that how we would able to cater
the day by day increasing population of the country where the
semi starvation is already making the health of the
individuals bad to worst.
Dr A Mukhtar Khalid, Director National
Institute of Bio Technology and Genetic Engineering (Nibge)
presented his views on national program on bio technology at
Nibge to highlight that what his institution was contributing
towards the development of this technology in the country.
Dr Yusuf Zafar, head plant biotech Nibge,
Faisalabad, presented his views about agriculture production
enhancement through biotechnology while Dr M Waheed Akhtar,
director institute of biochemistry and biotechnology, Punjab
University, spoke about the role of academic for promotion of
bio technology in Pakistan.
Pakissan
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