He said that the government would review the implementation of approved biotechnology strategy and initiate a new strategy for the year 2020. It would prioritise development of affordable healthcare products like vaccines, biological drugs, implants and devices and diagnostics. It would create an accelerated programme for crop genetic enhancement through molecular breeding in six noted institutes.

With a view to strengthen its efforts, the government is planning to introduce four Bills in the upcoming Budget session of the Parliament, namely Biotech Regulatory Authority of India Bill, DNA Profiling Bill, Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill and Public Funded R&D (Protection and Utilisation of Public Funded Intellectual Property) Bill.

When questioned about the future of Bt brinjal in India when the environment and forests ministry has struck down its commercial release, the minister said ; “The environment ministry has already set up a committee headed by MS Swaminathan to study the problem. The committee is expected to submit its report shortly. We can comment only when the report is submitted.”

The minister said that attention would be paid to researches in basic sciences, innovation and technological upgradation. Researches in basic sciences will lead to innovation and technological upgradation and development of globally competitive products, he said.