Innovations in nanobiotechnology will make an impact in the future

It is widely believed that nanobiotechnology could be a new source of key improvements in agriculture. However, these nano-related applications have not yet made it to the market. This is mostly due to lack of uniform or even specified legislative framework for nano-enabled products in countries. This has unintentionally delayed their commercialization despite significant progress in nanobiotechnology research.

To address these challenges, TERI Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre (TDNBC) organized a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on “Innovations & Advancements in Nanobiotechnology for Agriculture& Regulatory Policy Guidelines” with representation from Department of Biotechnology and Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr.Suchita Ninawe, Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, said, “The DBT will do its best to facilitate and coordinate with different government agencies and regulators to develop research framework and guidelines to enable nanoproducts to reach markets.”

It is widely believed that nanobiotechnology could be a new source of key improvements in agriculture. However, these nano-related applications have not yet made it to the market. This is mostly due to lack of uniform or even specified legislative framework for nano-enabled products in countries. This has unintentionally delayed their commercialization despite significant progress in nanobiotechnology research. To address these challenges, TERI Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre (TDNBC) organized a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on “Innovations & Advancements in Nanobiotechnology for Agriculture& Regulatory Policy Guidelines” with representation from Department of Biotechnology and Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr.Suchita Ninawe, Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, said, “The DBT will do its best to facilitate and coordinate with different government agencies and regulators to develop research framework and guidelines to enable nanoproducts to reach markets.”

It is observed that there is no uniform or even specified legislative framework for nano-enabled products in most countries. This has unintentionally delayed their commercialization despite significant progress in nanotechnology research. To counter the posing challenges, TERI released a Zero Draft Policy recently on “Nano products and its regulations” during the NANOFORAGRI 2017 Conference organized by TDNBC in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. During the consultative meeting, perspectives from the government and industries such as seed industries, fertilizer industries, and industries dealing with nano-enabled products were taken for the Zero Draft Policy.

Sharing his views on the Zero Draft Policy, Dr. Alok Alodheya, Senior Director, TERI, and Director, TDNBC, said, “Regulation of nanomaterials is essential and with this initiative, India is in the forefront to lead the regulatory environment for future quality products.”

This stakeholders’ meet aimed to promote discussion and engagement between government bodies and key stakeholders on strategic issues in order to advance nanobiotechnology industries responsibly in India. The interconnections between researchers, government and industries are essential for the success of the Nanotechnology’s Strategy for Innovation in creating translational research products and industries of the future that are based on scientific breakthroughs, innovation-based economic growth, and a world-class workforce. The meet also identified stakeholders’ interests, concerns, informational needs and priorities for the future dialogue.