IS BIOTECHNOLOGY THE ANSWER TO SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT Before discussing this issue any further, first we have to know what

does biotechnology means. Biotechnology is derived from two words bio meaning life and technology referring to tools and techniques used to achieve a particular purpose. Biotechnology is a set of scientific tools using living organisms (microorganisms) plant or animal, or their parts to produce useful products for medical, agricultural, industrial and environmental applications (Department of Agriculture, 2002). According to Otalunji (2007), biotechnology can simply be defined as a technique that uses living organisms to make or modify and improve products. While the definition for sustainable environment is, able to be sustained by avoiding using up natural resources. (Hawker, 2006) The question is, Is biotechnology the answer to sustainable environment in the context of Negara Brunei Darussalam? In my opinion, biotechnology can be the answer to sustainable environment in the context of Negara Brunei Darussalam. It is found that the Biotechnology Unit, Brunei Agricultural Research Centre at Kilanas has been practicing the tissue culture technique. Some of the plants that are known being tissue cultured are mushroom, banana, orchid. However, there are also several other plants that are being tissue cultured. The process of tissue culture involves of the absence of microorganisms and the presence of a balanced diet of chemicals where a piece of plant tissue will produce numerous tiny replicas of its single parent, then the cells must be physically divided repeatedly and frequently through subculture in order to survive (BARC, 2000). There are many advantages of micro propagation of plants via tissue culture. The advantages are, large number of plants that are true-to-type can be obtained from a sample of tissue, establishment and maintenance of

virus-free mother plant stock, it requires only a small space for maintenance and multiplication of plants, plants are grown under controlled environment where they survive better and production rate is higher, hybrid plants can be propagated where sterility of plant is common, continuous production all year round is possible and lastly maintenance of plants is minimal between subcultures (BARC, 2000). In my opinion, tissue culture technique that is being practiced by the Biotechnology Unit can help to sustain the environment in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Why is this so? Firstly, since the plants that are being tissue cultured will be much more healthy, not prone to disease and able to resist against pest (pest and disease free), the usage of pesticide and fertilizers can be reduced and thus leaching problem that can cause water pollution can be minimized. Leaching occurs when the excess of fertilizers or pesticides being removed from soil by surface run-off into the stream or river due to heavy rainfall. Leaching triggers the growth of toxic algae in the water or stream which can cause the oxygen supply in the water is used up by algae, thus increase the chance of the fishes and other organisms that need oxygen to die. In a long term effect, it can cause extinction to the species and thus disrupt the ecosystem. If this happen, the ecosystem will be imbalance and thus the food chain or web will also affected. Secondly, it helps to reduce the usage of land cover since it only requires only a small space for maintenance and multiplication of plants. If the usage of land cover is reduced, there is no need to clear forest to pave way for planting the plants and thus forest can be conserved. According to Permanent Secretary, only about 5% of Bruneis land can be developed without constraints (Brunei Times, 2010) Therefore Brunei has to strategically plan for its land use to avoid over land use.

By conserving the forest, it also can reduce the risk of having soil erosion if mass deforestation takes place and once there is a heavy rainfall. In a worst case scenario soil erosion also can lead to disasters such as landslide and flooding. Moreover, the global warming effect can be reduced as forest help to absorb the carbon dioxide that is being emitted into the atmosphere. If the global warming effect can be reduced, such as increase in temperature causes sea level rises can be controlled and thus reduce the risk of having flooding. However, in my opinion, there are other ways that can help Brunei to sustain its environment. One of the ways to sustain its environment is, to implement the 3Rs programme which is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. According to Permanent Secretary for Administration and Finance, Ministry of Development (MoD), Brunei is one of the countries that produce waste higher than other countries in the region. Thus it is important for Brunei to reduce waste production due to limited land area. He also cited a 2005 study by Jastre that Bruneians on average produce 1.4 kgs of waste a day. In contrast, many countries within the region only produce one kilogramme or less of waste daily (Brunei Times, 2010). For example, plastic is one of waste that takes years to breakdown and potentially produce toxic substances, whereas organic food waste or known as domestic waste lets off methane gas when decompose. Methane is one of greenhouse gases that are widely accused for global warming. In my opinion, the benefit of using the 3Rs programme is, waste not only being reduced, reused and recycled, but it also helps to prevent or at least minimize the effect of releasing methane gas into the atmosphere and toxic substances that can cause pollution. Apart from that, the Sungai Akar landfill is no longer available as a dumping site. Now, the Sungai Akar landfill has transformed into a park. In my opinion, it is a good effort made by the Brunei Economic Development

Board (BEDB). Once, Sungai Akar landfill was viewed as ugly and caused eye-sore to those that travel pass along the dump site. Furthermore, it caused air pollution as it emitted smelly odor. As a result of transforming Sungai Akar landfill into a recreational park, it is no longer causes eye-sore and does not emit smelly odor. Fortunately, a new landfill is built to cater continuous supply of waste being produced by the public. The new location is at Sungai Paku, Tutong District. The new landfill is engineered to be environmentally-friendly. It is found that the engineered landfill incorporate the use of clay liners to cover fresh rubbish dumping grounds to help contain and prevent leachate (liquid draining from landfills caused by precipitation seeping through waste deposited in landfills) from infiltrating into the ground water thus preventing water pollution (Brunei Times, 2009). In my opinion, the benefit of using this technique is, it could prevent water pollution and by preventing water pollution, we can be sure that the water is safe for consumption and be used in our daily use. As a result it helps to sustain the environment. Brunei also has started to promote No plastic bag during weekend campaign this year. It is introduced by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, Ministry of Development. It means, there will be no plastic bag for every Saturday and Sunday. If the consumer still wanted to use plastic bag, they have to pay for it. Since plastic bag is no longer available for every Saturday and Sunday, environmentally-friendly bag is sold for the public where this bag can be reuse each time the consumer going out for shopping. In my opinion, one of the benefits of having this campaign is to prevent further land pollution as mentioned in the paragraph above earlier, plastic takes years to breakdown and potentially produce toxic substances. The other benefits of reducing the amount of consumers in using plastic bag, it helps to educate public to stop using plastic bags slowly and make it as a

habit to use reusable bags and become more responsible person. It also might help the government to reduce their cost spend on producing plastic bags and waste management. As a result, this can help Brunei to sustain its environment. Another alternative way to help Brunei sustain its environment is by using solar energy. Brunei has taken early steps to use renewable alternative energy sources. The Tenaga Suria Brunei or Brunei Solar Energy project was first launched on the 26th May this year at Seria, Belait District (PMO, 2011). Since Brunei totally dependent to oil and gas, which is non-renewable resources and might deplete in the near future, it is a good start for Brunei to diversify its resources usage. Brunei has started to distribute more than 100 solar panels to Kampong Ayer this year as a way to upgrade their standard of living (Brunei Times, 2011). It is part of Ministry of Developments plan to install solar panels at housing development projects In the future, as part of the green building concept. By using solar panel, it helps to reduce carbon emissions thus reducing the greenhouse effects and being energy efficient. In my opinion, the usage of solar energy is suitable in Brunei as it is one of the countries that is located near the Equator which receives high insolation. Thus Brunei can gain benefit from using this method since it is renewable and helps to achieve towards cleaner environment. As a result, it can help Brunei to sustain its environment. Ministry of Development also has released the Draft Environmental Order since 2002. The act under the order are, To manage on operational activities listed on scheduled premises, To manage air pollution, To manage water pollution, To manage land pollution, To manage noise pollution, To manage hazardous substances control, To manage on hazardous waste listed under schedule waste, To Manage and maintain on renewable resources, To control environment pollution such as budgeting on preparing

assessment report on effect towards the environment, To manage selfmonitoring on selected industry and others, establishment of Environmental Quality Council, To ensure the prescribed activities, To prepare Preliminary Environmental impact Assessment. In my opinion, the Environmental order is drafted in order to maintain and sustain Bruneis environment. Without this order, Bruneis environment can become worse since everyone can do anything that they want which can affect the effort of Brunei to sustain its environment (Kementerian Pembangunan, 2011). As a conclusion, biotechnology is the answer to sustainable environment in Brunei, but there are also other ways that can help Brunei to sustain its environment such as using solar energy as source of energy, the 3Rs programme (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), transforming Sungai Akar landfill into a recreational park, the construction of Sungai Paku landfill, the use of reusable bag during the weekend and the enforcement of Environmental Order.

References:

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Agricultural Research Centre.

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26. Accessed November 14, 2011 from (http://www.pmo.gov.bn/pmo1/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=1203:visit-to-brunei-solarenegry-plant-at-seria&catid=94:news&Itemid=75)

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