Initiatives for the Development and Promotion of Biotechnology in Sri Lanka

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Initiatives for the Development and Promotion of
Biotechnologyin Sri Lanka
Dr. M.C.N. Jayasuriya
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Biotechnology in Perspective
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• The Global Scenario
• The United Nations Conference on Environment and
  Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in
  June 1992
• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and
  Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) opened for
  signature
• Sri Lanka became a party to CBD in 1995 and
  signed the Cartagena Protocol in 2000 and
  ratified it on 28 April 2004

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• The Convention on Bio Diversity
• Identifies biotechnology as a powerful tool for
  ensuring food security and for alleviating
  poverty
• Recognizes the risks of genetically engineered
  organisms
• Addresses the issue of biosafety

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• Products of biotechnology are increasingly used
  to meet the demand for food, shelter and health
• The commercialization of biotechnology has become
  a major industry worldwide
• Biotechnology may have both positive and negative
  impacts on socio-economic development and
  environment

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• In Sri Lanka
• Traditional Biotechnology 1970s ( tissue
• culture in floriculture)
• NSF Special Committee formed in 1992
• NRC CARP funding Biotechnology Research
• In Agriculture - National Agricultural Research
• Policy for the period 2003-2010, formulated by
  the
• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, has
• identified biotechnology as a major thrust area
  in
• priority setting and strategic planning in all
• Sectors
• But state patronage has not been significant

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• The need for National Policies on Biotechnology
  and Biosafety
• in Sri Lanka

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A National Policy on Biotechnology
In preparation
National Sub-Committee on Biotechnology and
Biosafety
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Vision Towards sustainable development through
the safe use of Biotechnology
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• Policy Statement
• The development, application and promotion of
  biotechnology to ensure
• sustainable progress and socio-economic
  development
• of Sri Lanka
• whilst protecting and conserving
• the riches of nature

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Definition of Biotechnology
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• Biotechnology has been defined in various ways by
  international and regional organizations and the
  global scientific community.
• FAO, WHO
• CBD
• Commission of the European Communities
• European Federation of Biotechnology
• National Biotechnology Strategy for South Africa
  of June 2001

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• For the purpose of this policy document, which
  relates to the Sri Lankan context, Biotechnology
  is defined as
•  
• All technologies involving the manipulation of
  organisms, cells and bio-molecules leading to
  industrial, agricultural, medical and
  environmental applications.

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Policy Framework
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• Scope of the Policy
• This policy covers all biotechnologies. The
  coverage includes all aspects of operations
  related to biotechnology in all sectors.

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• Objectives
• National Development Objectives
• An adequate standard of living including adequate
  food, clothing etc. to its peoples
• Sustainable development of the economy
• Poverty alleviation
• Creation of employment opportunities
• Reduction of inequalities in income

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• Biotechnology Policy Objectives
•  
• The Governments overall stance on biotechnology
• Priority areas
• Commitment, assistance and support available from
  the government
• Assigning responsibility for achieving goals
• Implementation and risk assessment
• Promotion of RD
• Identification of monitoring mechanisms

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• General Principles
• Ownership
• Research and development
• Economic asset and management responsibility of
  biodiversity
• Promotion and regulation
• International co-operation
• Public awareness and education
• Safety and ethical guidelines

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• General Principles(cont.)
• Import and export
• Risk assessment and management
• Transparency and information disclosure
• Equitable sharing of benefits
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
• The formal regulation

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• National Biotechnology Policy Statements
• recognizing the importance of protecting the
  countrys biodiversity
• recognizing the human and environmental health
  risks
• realizing the need for developing our own
  capabilities in biotechnology through research
  and development and training
• reaffirming the commitment to principles of the
  CBD and CPB,

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• The policy statements are related to
• Government Commitment, Planning and Management
• Research and Funding
• Legislation including patenting
• Human Resource Development
• Public Awareness
• Industrial Applications and Trade
• Information Exchange, Monitoring and Evaluation

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THANK YOU
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Government Commitment, Planning and Management

• The government shall make a strong commitment to
  the sustainable development of biotechnology in
  Sri Lanka

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Research and Funding

• Prioritization of research areas in
  biotechnology shall be carried out based on the
  national development policy and with the
  concurrence of public and private ST
  institutions and agencies responsible for such
  fields of activity (eg. Universities and National
  RD Institutions)

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Research and Funding

• Appropriate institutions and centres that are
  currently involved in biotechnology research and
  development, shall be assisted to evolve as
  Centers of Excellence in different aspects of
  Biotechnology. Such Centers shall be networked to
  provide stronger rapport between the government,
  the public and the scientific community

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Research and Funding

• A funding mechanism shall be devised to support
  RD and all other aspects of biotechnology.
  Co-ordination of research projects and transfer
  of skills and expertise shall be facilitated in
  order to increase the possibilities of using and
  monitoring the technology.

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Legislation

• Legislature shall be introduced to cover
  biotechnology applications and all related issues
  regarding human beings (eg. diagnosis, gene
  therapy, cloning and ethical assessment of
  research applications, etc).

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Human Resource Development

• Priorities in Human Resource Development in
  biotechnology shall be assessed and identified

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Human Resource Development

• ST and management of biotechnology shall be
  developed and maintained at a high level by
  providing training, conducive environment for
  RD, and incentives and rewards to attract and
  retain scientists and trained personnel.

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Human Resource Development

• Teaching of biotechnology shall be strengthened,
  both at secondary and tertiary levels, and
  continued professional development of teachers
  shall be facilitated.

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Human Resource Development

• Special courses in natural sciences, technology
  and ethics at academic level shall be offered to
  personnel, who in their professional activities
  come into contact with biotechnology issues and
  their ethical applications.

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Public Awareness

• Public awareness of biotechnology and potential
  risks/benefits, risk assessment and management
  techniques shall be enhanced, involving the
  community at large, policy makers, legislators,
  administrators, the private sector and
  biotechnology industries.

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Industrial Applications and Trade

• Safety standards shall be reviewed and updated
  at appropriate intervals to incorporate local and
  global changes in technology.

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Industrial Applications and Trade

• Mechanisms shall be identified to actively
  promote and facilitate transfer of research
  findings to industrial and other applications.

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Industrial Applications and Trade

• All Biotechnology units undertaking commercial
  production shall be treated as industry and would
  thus be eligible for all incentives to which
  industries are eligible.

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Industrial Applications and Trade

• The importation of biotechnology products shall
  be according to the National Biosafety
  Regulations.

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Industrial Applications and Trade

• Sri Lanka shall endeavor to implement local
  field trials of imported products or procedures
  to the extent of its ability, financed by the
  applicant, where existing data are regarded as
  inapplicable under local circumstances.

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Information Exchange, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Appropriate knowledge bases and infrastructure
  for information exchange shall be established and
  developed.

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Information Exchange, Monitoring and Evaluation

• The development and use of biotechnology shall
  be promoted for the continued welfare and
  socio-economic upliftment of the nation, while
  addressing the issues of biological safety, which
  may affect biodiversity of plants, animals,
  microorganisms, human health and environment.

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Information Exchange, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Priority shall be given to the establishment of
  an efficient research management system and the
  development of research infrastructure such as
  biotechnology information centers, biotech parks
  and other institutions involved in research,
  design, consultancy and information, in order to
  strengthen the facilities for the smooth transfer
  of technology and development of new products.

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Information Exchange, Monitoring and Evaluation

• A Master Plan for Biotechnology shall be
  established and used to implement the strategies
  and to develop the infrastructure and instruments
  outlined in this policy.

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• Commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka
•  Support by way of financial at policy level
• Legislation regulation
• Functional body for Bioethics
• Patents Act
• HRD
• Public awareness

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THANK YOU