Meaning

Biotechnology refers to the application of living organisms, biological systems, or their components (cells, enzymes, genes, microbes) to develop useful products, processes, and technologies. It includes traditional practices such as fermentation as well as modern techniques like genetic engineering and molecular diagnostics. The modern phase of biotechnology accelerated after the discovery of DNA structure and the development of genetic engineering tools and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Biotechnology today is deeply integrated with medicine, agriculture, industry, environment management, and data-driven life sciences.

Biotechnology in India

Bioeconomy and Growth Potential

India’s biotechnology sector is among the fastest growing, expected to significantly shape India’s economic trajectory.

Key concepts:

• Bioeconomy: Economic activity driven by biotech and life sciences research and innovation, supported by advances in engineering and information sciences.
• Targets: India’s bioeconomy is projected towards a USD 150 billion milestone (by 2025) and over USD 300 billion by 2030.
• India is among the top global biotech destinations, with strong positioning in Asia-Pacific.
• India’s strengths include biodiversity, bioresources, a long coastline, and agricultural residues which support biotech innovation.

Startup Ecosystem

• Biotech startups have expanded from around 50 to over 6,756 in a decade.
• Policy aim has been to push the biotech startup ecosystem towards 10,000+.

Sub-sectors of India’s Bioeconomy (India Bio Economy Report 2023 basis)

India’s bioeconomy is stated at $137 billion, contributing around 4% of GDP and employing over 2 million people.

Key segments:

• Bio-Industrials: Industrial enzymes, acids, biofuels, biogas, bio-based plastics; emerging segment; $58.97 bn and 43% share.
• Biopharma/Biomedical: Pharma, devices, organoids, diagnostics; includes cancer immunotherapy, gene editing, regenerative medicine, biologics, biosimilars; $49.79 bn and 36% share.
• Bio-agriculture: GM crops, precision agriculture, biopesticides, biostimulants, biofertilizers; $11.47 bn and 8% share.
• Bio Research and BioIT (BioServices): Clinical research, trials, contract research, drug discovery services, biotech software and databases, bioscience patent services; $9.28 bn and 7% share.
• Covid Economy: Vaccines, testing and related services; $7.66 bn and 6% share.

Institutional Framework in India

• National Biotechnology Board (NBTB), 1982: Set up to strengthen indigenous biotech capabilities.
• Department of Biotechnology (DBT), 1986: Nodal agency supporting life science R&D and accelerating biotech applications. Also supports advanced biofuels and waste-to-energy technologies.
• National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR): Conserves microbial diversity and explores industrial/health biotech potential.
• Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC): National repository for life science data, housed at the Regional Centre of Biotechnology; follows FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).

Government Initiatives for Biotechnology

• National Biopharma Mission: Industry-academia collaboration to accelerate biopharma development.
• Innovate in India (i3): Programme under the mission to support entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing; implemented via BIRAC.
• Biotech KISAN (2017): Connects laboratories with farmers to apply scientific innovations at farm level.
• Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech Mission: Addresses maternal-child health, AMR, vaccines, food and nutrition, and clean technologies.
• One Health Consortium (2021): Surveys zoonotic and transboundary pathogens, integrating human-animal-environment health.
• BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council): Strengthens emerging biotech enterprises through funding and innovation support.
• Biotech Parks and Incubators: Provide infrastructure for incubation, demonstration, and pilot plants to convert research into products/services.

Challenges Associated with Biotechnology

1) Ownership and Equitable Access

Biomaterials and biotech innovations often fall under patent regimes. While patents incentivize innovation, they can also restrict access, especially for developing countries, raising concerns about affordability and inclusive benefits.

2) Ethical Concerns

Biotechnology may create outcomes that raise questions about human dignity and commercialization of life. Patenting genetically designed entities (such as cDNA and altered DNA sequences) creates ethical debates about ownership over biological materials and the moral limits of profit-making from life processes.

3) Uncertainty and Emerging Risks

New genomic techniques introduce uncertain risks because biological systems are complex and not fully predictable. Even historically, recombinant DNA technologies were recognised as having potential hazards due to incomplete understanding of biological mechanisms and possible misuse.

4) Security Threats

Advances in synthetic biology increase concerns about misuse, including the possibility of artificially produced organisms being used for biological weapons development. This creates internal security and global governance concerns.

5) Environmental Impact

Agricultural biotechnology can have unintended ecological effects such as changes in pesticide use, impact on non-target species, emergence of pest resistance, and risks to pollinators and wild species. This makes environmental assessment and long-term monitoring essential.