Present Status of Biotenchnology in

Bangladesh
Sharmista Deb
September 8, 2021

1 Introduction
Biotechnology, in its most basic definition, is a technology that uses biolog-
ical systems—plants, animals, and microbes—or parts of them (cell, tissue,
gene, or DNA) to produce the optimum goods and services for human ben-
efit. Although biotechnology principles have long been used in fermentation
processes such as the production of alcohol, yogurt, cheese, and bread, the
word biotechnology only came into its own until the principles of recombinant
DNA technology or genetic engineering were introduced. Now, when we talk
about biotechnology, we usually refer to technology that is based on the usage
of recombinant DNA. However, while recombinant DNA technology appears
to be simple in theory (taking a gene from one organism and inserting it into
another), in practice it is highly complex, tenacious, expensive, and difficult.
When it comes to Bangladesh, modern biotechnology as a specialized
sector in industry is very promising. Bangladesh is still aiming at reach-
ing capacity with low-technology-invasive manufacturing ventures. But, the
market is moving towards technological progression. Implementation of ETP
has been made mandatory, Genome sequence of Jute has been found and new
scopes are opening up each day. Very recently, Incepta Pharmaceuticals has
begun to produce and market insulin and preparing to export abroad. In-
cepta has also signed an agreement with ICGEB to receive the technological
know-how for commercially manufacturing hepatitis B vaccine. Some pri-
vate firms like BRAC Biotechnology Center, Square Agric-tech and Aman
Agro Industriesare producing virus-free potato seeds in substantial quanti-
ties, gradually reducing the dependency on imported potato seeds. Proshika

1
Tissue Culture Center is now exporting varieties of tissue culture derived or-
chid plants. BCSIR has undertaken the production of Spirulina and a certain
quantity of it is being marketed as tablets by several private manufacturers.
BCSIR has also explored the production of baker’s yeast using molasses.
About 50,000 million tons of molasses are being utilised in our distilleries for
the production of ethanol. Biotechnology entrepreneurship is slowly finding
its way in the country.
As a result, despite the fact that modern biotechnology has been used
since the late 1970s, many countries, both developed and developing, have
been unable to participate due to a dearth of enough funding, labor, in-
frastructure, and political will. Although the Asian countries have good
agricultural land, a suitable climate for agricultural output, and a favorable
climate and enormous workforce for industry, the majority of them remain
impoverished. Many countries in this formerly prosperous region are now
destitute due to overpopulation and high levels of illiteracy. Therefore, to
elevate current science such as ”biotechnology” is critical in order to over-
come the issue in a reasonable amount of time. The possibilities for using
biotechnology to mitigate the sufferings of the region’s teeming millions are
immense, but the challenges are also formidable. It is encouraging to see
that the Research and Information System (RIS) for Non-Aligned and Other
Developing Countries took the initiative to hold a workshop in New Delhi
on February 26-27, 2002, to explore this critical subject. In this following
report I will be examined the prospects and challenges of biotechnology and
development in the region specifically related to Bangladesh, also proposals
for overcoming the bottlenecks will be put forward for consideration.

2 Definition
The concept of biotechnology encompasses a wide range of procedures for
modifying living organisms according to human purposes, going back to do-
mestication of animals, cultivation of the plants, and ”improvements” to
these through breeding programs that employ artificial selection and hy-
bridization. Modern usage also includes genetic engineering as well as cell and
tissue culture technologies. The American Chemical Society defines biotech-
nology as the application of biological organisms, systems, or processes by
various industries to learning about the science of life and the improvement
of the value of materials and organisms such as pharmaceuticals, crops, and

2
livestock. Per the European Federation of Biotechnology, biotechnology is
the integration of natural science and organisms, cells, parts thereof, and
molecular analogues for products and services. Biotechnology is based on
the basic biological sciences (e.g. molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biol-
ogy, embryology, genetics, microbiology) and conversely provides methods to
support and perform basic research in biology.
Biotechnology is the research and development in the laboratory using
bioinformatics for exploration, extraction, exploitation and production from
any living organisms and any source of biomass by means of biochemical en-
gineering where high value-added products could be planned (reproduced by
biosynthesis, for example), forecasted, formulated, developed, manufactured,
and marketed for the purpose of sustainable operations (for the return from
bottomless initial investment on R&D) and gaining durable patents rights
(for exclusives rights for sales, and prior to this to receive national and inter-
national approval from the results on animal experiment and human exper-
iment, especially on the pharmaceutical branch of biotechnology to prevent
any undetected side-effects or safety concerns by using the products). The
utilization of biological processes, organisms or systems to produce products
that are anticipated to improve human lives is termed biotechnology.
By contrast, bioengineering is generally thought of as a related field that
more heavily emphasizes higher systems approaches (not necessarily the al-
tering or using of biological materials directly) for interfacing with and uti-
lizing living things. Bioengineering is the application of the principles of
engineering and natural sciences to tissues, cells and molecules. This can
be considered as the use of knowledge from working with and manipulating
biology to achieve a result that can improve functions in plants and animals.
Relatedly, biomedical engineering is an overlapping field that often draws
upon and applies biotechnology (by various definitions), especially in certain
sub-fields of biomedical or chemical engineering such as tissue engineering,
biopharmaceutical engineering, and genetic engineering.
Although not normally what first comes to mind, many forms of human-
derived agriculture clearly fit the broad definition of ”’utilizing a biotechno-
logical system to make products”. Indeed, the cultivation of plants may be
viewed as the earliest biotechnological enterprise.
Agriculture has been theorized to have become the dominant way of pro-
ducing food since the Neolithic Revolution. Through early biotechnology, the
earliest farmers selected and bred the best-suited crops, having the highest
yields, to produce enough food to support a growing population. As crops

3
and fields became increasingly large and difficult to maintain, it was discov-
ered that specific organisms and their by-products could effectively fertilize,
restore nitrogen, and control pests. Throughout the history of agriculture,
farmers have inadvertently altered the genetics of their crops through intro-
ducing them to new environments and breeding them with other plants —
one of the first forms of biotechnology.
These processes also were included in early fermentation of beer. These
processes were introduced in early Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and India,
and still use the same basic biological methods. In brewing, malted grains
(containing enzymes) convert starch from grains into sugar and then adding
specific yeasts to produce beer. In this process, carbohydrates in the grains
broke down into alcohols, such as ethanol. Later, other cultures produced the
process of lactic acid fermentation, which produced other preserved foods,
such as soy sauce. Fermentation was also used in this time period to pro-
duce leavened bread. Although the process of fermentation was not fully
understood until Louis Pasteur’s work in 1857, it is still the first use of
biotechnology to convert a food source into another form.
Before the time of Charles Darwin’s work and life, animal and plant
scientists had already used selective breeding. Darwin added to that body
of work with his scientific observations about the ability of science to change
species. These accounts contributed to Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
For thousands of years, humans have used selective breeding to improve
the production of crops and livestock to use them for food. In selective breed-
ing, organisms with desirable characteristics are mated to produce offspring
with the same characteristics. For example, this technique was used with
corn to produce the largest and sweetest crops.
In the early twentieth century scientists gained a greater understanding of
microbiology and explored ways of manufacturing specific products. In 1917,
Chaim Weizmann first used a pure microbiological culture in an industrial
process, that of manufacturing corn starch using Clostridium acetobutylicum,
to produce acetone, which the United Kingdom desperately needed to man-
ufacture explosives during World War I.
Biotechnology has also led to the development of antibiotics. In 1928,
Alexander Fleming discovered the mold Penicillium. His work led to the
purification of the antibiotic compound formed by the mold by Howard Flo-
rey, Ernst Boris Chain and Norman Heatley – to form what we today know
as penicillin. In 1940, penicillin became available for medicinal use to treat
bacterial infections in humans.

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 The field of modern biotechnology is generally thought of as having been
born in 1971 when Paul Berg’s (Stanford) experiments in gene splicing had
early success. Herbert W. Boyer (Univ. Calif. at San Francisco) and Stan-
ley N. Cohen (Stanford) significantly advanced the new technology in 1972
by transferring genetic material into a bacterium, such that the imported
material would be reproduced. The commercial viability of a biotechnol-
ogy industry was significantly expanded on June 16, 1980, when the United
States Supreme Court ruled that a genetically modified microorganism could
be patented in the case of Diamond v. Chakrabarty.[12] Indian-born Ananda
Chakrabarty, working for General Electric, had modified a bacterium (of the
genus Pseudomonas) capable of breaking down crude oil, which he proposed
to use in treating oil spills. (Chakrabarty’s work did not involve gene ma-
nipulation but rather the transfer of entire organelles between strains of the
Pseudomonas bacterium.
The MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) was in-
vented by Mohamed M. Atalla and Dawon Kahng in 1959. Two years later,
Leland C. Clark and Champ Lyons invented the first biosensor in 1962.
Biosensor MOSFETs were later developed, and they have since been widely
used to measure physical, chemical, biological and environmental parame-
ters. The first BioFET was the ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET),
invented by Piet Bergveld in 1970. It is a special type of MOSFET,[16]
where the metal gate is replaced by an ion-sensitive membrane, electrolyte
solution and reference electrode.[19] The ISFET is widely used in biomedical
applications, such as the detection of DNA hybridization, biomarker detec-
tion from blood, antibody detection, glucose measurement, pH sensing, and
genetic technology.
By the mid-1980s, other BioFETs had been developed, including the gas
sensor FET (GASFET), pressure sensor FET (PRESSFET), chemical field-
effect transistor (ChemFET), reference ISFET (REFET), enzyme-modified
FET (ENFET) and immunologically modified FET (IMFET).[16] By the
early 2000s, BioFETs such as the DNA field-effect transistor (DNAFET),
gene-modified FET (GenFET) and cell-potential BioFET (CPFET) had been
developed.
A factor influencing the biotechnology sector’s success is improved intel-
lectual property rights legislation—and enforcement—worldwide, as well as
strengthened demand for medical and pharmaceutical products to cope with
an ageing, and ailing, U.S. population.
Rising demand for biofuels is expected to be good news for the biotech-

5
nology sector, with the Department of Energy estimating ethanol usage could
reduce U.S. petroleum-derived fuel consumption by up to 30% by 2030. The
biotechnology sector has allowed the U.S. farming industry to rapidly increase
its supply of corn and soybeans—the main inputs into biofuels—by develop-
ing genetically modified seeds that resist pests and drought. By increasing
farm productivity, biotechnology boosts biofuel production.
In Bangladesh, biotechnology research began in the late 1970s and has
continued until this day. Because of the importance of the agricultural sec-
tor, which has served as the backbone of the national economy from ancient
times, the initiative was spurred on by the need to formalize it. Tissue cul-
ture on jute was used as a starting point for the research at the Department
of Genetics and Plant Breeding at Bangladesh Agricultural University in the
beginning. In the following 10–12 years, similar research programs began
to be conducted at the Faculty of Biotechnology Genetic Engineering at
Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, the Universities of
Rajshahi, Chittagong and Khulna, the Islamic University in Kushtia, Jagan-
nath, Jahangirnagar and Shahjalal Universities of Science and Technology
in Bangladesh, and the Islamic University in Kushtia. The Bangladesh As-
sociation for Plant Tissue Culture (BAPTC) was established in 1990 and
has been responsible for the organization of various international conferences
since that time. The government of Bangladesh established a National Com-
mittee on Biotechnology Product Development in September 1993 to identify
promising biotechnological initiatives that may be licensed for commercial-
ization. In 1997, the Ministry of Science and Technology, in partnership
with the BAPTC, organized a workshop on Biosafety Regulation, follow-
ing which a task force was established to design biosafety guidelines and
biosafety regulations in accordance with the regulations established at the
workshop. Bangladesh joined the International Center for Genetic Engineer-
ing and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in the late 1990s and has been a member
since then (ICGEB). Established in 1999 as a center of excellence in biotech-
nological education, the National Institute of Biotechnology serves as a model
for other institutions of higher learning. The National Task Force on Biotech-
nology recommended that the government create national policy guidelines
on biotechnology in 2006 in order to expedite multidimensional biotechno-
logical research. The recommendations were accepted by the National Task
Force on Biotechnology. The draft National Biotechnology Policy, 2012, was
adopted by the government in 2012, with the goal of reducing poverty through
increased productivity in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

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3 Bangladesh Economy
Bangladesh is comparatively small country in Asia, with only 55,598 square
miles (1,43,999 square kilometers) of land between it and its largest neighbor,
India, which borders almost two-thirds of the country. Burma to the east
and south, and a little section of Nepal to the north, are Bangladesh’s other
immediate neighbors. However, Bangladesh has approximately 130 million
people living in this short area of land. The population density is approx-
imately 2000 people per square mile, making it one of the world’s highest.
The majority of people reside in villages, with rural areas accounting for 85
Bangladesh is primarily an agricultural country, with agriculture serving
as the primary source of income for 80% of the population. The Ganges-
Meghna-Brahmaputra (GMB) delta’s fertile alluvial soil, combined with co-
pious rainfall (average 100 cm) and simple farming, has made this little
riverine region enticing for many foreign settlers since time immemorial, re-
sulting in a dense population. Rice is the most important food crop, which
is grown all year, while jute was the most important cash crop until recently.
The current per capita income is almost US$400, up from less than US$300
in the prior 5-7 years.
Beside sNatural gas, which is expected to have between 25 and 40 trillion
cubic feet, is the other primary resource at the moment, aside from agricul-
ture.

4 Universities and Research Organisations

Bangladesh currently has five public universities, two engineering universi-
ties, two agricultural universities, and a medical university, in addition to a
number of other institutions. Furthermore, the government has just lately
completed the necessary steps to establish 12 science universities, which will
be the first of their kind. Aside from that, there are around 30 private univer-
sities in Bangladesh, the majority of which are concentrated in and around
Dhaka. These private universities, on the other hand, offer a curriculum that
is primarily focused on computer science and business administration. When
compared to the enrolment demand, the number of government universities is
extremely limited, and more than 50 candidates typically compete for a single
seat in a government university. More than 100,000 students will be able to
attend all of the government-sponsored universities together. The following

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significant research organizations are currently operating in Bangladesh:

• Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC)

• Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC)

• Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI)

• Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)

• Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI)

• Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI)

• Sugarcane Research and Training Institute (SRTI)

• Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA)

• Sericulture Research Institute (SRI)

• Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI)

• Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI)

Most of these institutes have been functioning for more than 30 years and
the total number of scientists working in different institutes will be nearly
3000.
The majority of research in Bangladesh has been done by individual sci-
entists in a disjointed manner up until quite recently. At the time of writing,
there was no distinct research budget designated for this purpose. At the
moment, the government allocates a distinct RD budget for the purpose of
carrying out research projects. As an additional incentive, every year the
Ministry of Science and Technology provides a special grant of Tk 120 mil-
lion to support research and development in the physical, biological, and
engineering sciences. It is anticipated that the average annual expense per
scientist will not exceed US$500 per year.

8
5 Present Status of Biotechnology in Bangladesh
With the introduction of jute tissue culture in the Department of Botany at
Dhaka University in the late 1970s, the country’s plant biotechnology pro-
gram got off to a flying start. Following that, tissue culture research laborato-
ries have sprung up in a variety of universities and research and development
organizations, including Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, Chittagong
University, Jahangirnagar University, Khulna University, Bangladesh Rice
Research Institute, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Bangladesh Agri-
cultural Research Institute, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research, and Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
A few non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as DEBTECH and
PROSHIKA are also involved in plant tissue cultivation. As a result of
extensive research into plant tissue culture, procedures for plant regeneration
and micro-propagation have been created for a variety of crops, including
forest plants, ornamental and fruit trees, and vegetables, as well as for a
variety of other crops. These in vitro regeneration techniques are presently
in the process of being developed for commercial application. It is anticipated
that, as a result of the establishment of private entrepreneurs, the commercial
application and extension of tissue culture techniques will progressively find
their proper position in the Bangladeshi economy.

6 Animal and Insect Biotechnology and Aqua-

culture
In the field of animal biotechnology, both the Bangladesh Livestock Research
Institute (BLRI) and the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have
already established advanced biotechnology programs for livestock. These
include embryo transfer technology, multiple ovulation embryo transfer, and
an artificial insemination program, to name a few of the options.
However, the program of animal gene transfer with the use of genetic
engineering techniques has not yet been launched. Although there have been
some advances in livestock biotechnology, there have been 11 different types
of veterinary biologics that have been developed for the treatment of infec-
tious diseases in livestock and poultry, as well as vaccinations for foot and
mouth disease and rinder pest.
Spawing is caused by biotechnology in fisheries in carp, pabda, catfish,

9
koi, and other species. Using this technology, 50,000 kg of diverse fish species
may now be produced annually, allowing for increased productivity.
The Sericulture Research Institute in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, has been
working for a long time to improve the quality of sericulture production in
this country. The use of genetic engineering techniques for this aim has also
become more common in recent years.
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission has experimented with low
doses of gamma radiation administered to silkworms in order to increase the
amount of silk produced. Significant progress has been made in the field of
sterile insect technique (SIT) with the application of gamma radiation. In
addition, insect management strategies such as hormonal and pheromonal
control, as well as the integrated pest management (IPM) program, are now
being implemented for the control of insects. Bacillus thuringiensis strains for
the management of Lepidopteran insects have been isolated and characterized
at the University of Dhaka, which has begun the process of developing these
strains.

7 Industrial Biotechnology
However, in the realm of industrial biotechnology, Bangladesh has yet to
achieve any significant advances. Modern biotechnological programs utilizing
gene transfer technology have just recently begun to be implemented in a
serious manner. Everything that has been made possible has been made
possible by classical/old biotechnology approaches. However, the results are
highly optimistic, and a significant number of concepts are at an advanced
level of development and could potentially be commercialized. Among these
research programs are the following:

• Bioconversion and bioprocessing of agricultural and agro-industrial residues

for feed, fuel and chemical.

• Genetic improvement of industrial micro-organisms like citric acid pro-

duction by Aspergillus niger through gamma radiation.(has reached
commercial stage)

• Mass scale production of Spirulina (has reached commercial stage).

• Production of biofertilizer (has reached commercial stage).

10
 • Production of amylase and gluco-amylase for scarification of low cost
starch.

• Production of microbial biomass protein and single cell protein

• Production of tannery enzymes.

• Production of alcohol from agroindustrial residues – a few distilleries

in the country are already utilizing > 50,000 MT of molasses for the
production of ethyl alcohol.

• Preservation of fruits, vegetables and spices by radiation and biopro-

cessing.

• Bioenrichment of cereal food by microbial fermentation.

8 Bioenergy and Environmental Biotechnol-

ogy
A great breakthrough has been made in the generation of biogas from ani-
mal excreta (cowdung) and agricultural leftovers, which is known as biogas
production. The Institute of Fuel Research and Development (IFRD) has
been conducting research and development in this subject for many years.
Because of study findings and subsequent development in partnership with
the Department of Energy (DOE), more than 10,000 biogas plants have now
been constructed in rural regions as a result of the findings and development.
The government has also committed to a larger scheme that would see ap-
proximately 100,000 biogas plants installed throughout the country, which is
currently in the process of being implemented.
In the field of environmental biotechnology, Bangladesh is yet to launch
its program, which will make use of cutting-edge biotechnological techniques.
Everything that has been accomplished has been accomplished through con-
ventional techniques. Due to excessive population pressure and general in-
dustrial activity, environmental pollution is gradually increasing day by day,
posing a serious threat to human health and the ecological balance of the en-
vironment. Wastewater from industrial processes, municipal waste, and sew-
erage are dumped into surface waters with little or no treatment, resulting in

11
water pollution and contaminating groundwater. The Department of Envi-
ronment (DOE) of the Government of Bangladesh is only engaged in regular
tasks. The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) has installed
modern equipment to analyze dangerous pesticide residues at extremely low
concentrations, which is one of the few activities it has undertaken. Micro-
bial technology has the potential to be a useful tool in reducing the amount
of solid waste and effluents that pollute the environment. Rather, a broad-
based ”bioremediation” effort utilizing current biotechnological approaches
is required. This should include research and development of microorganisms
that are capable of digesting Xenobiotics and other resistant contaminants.
Bangladesh has yet to begin using genetic engineering techniques for the
enhancement of plants, animals, and industrial microorganisms, as well as for
the prevention and control of environmental contamination, in earnest. The
introduction and utilization of gene transfer technology for the enhancement
of crops such as rice and jute, as well as the development of improved strains
of industrial microorganisms, are now the focus of only a small number of re-
search laboratories. Animal genetic engineering research and development is
currently at a very low level, which is particularly concerning. The following
is a list of current research projects being carried out at various universities
and research institutes, which includes:
• Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation of jute: being carried
out at the Institute of Food and Radiation Biology, AERE, BAEC,
Dhaka and Bangladesh Jute Research Institute.

• Genetic transformation of pulses for fungus resistance: initiated at the

Department of Botany, DhakaUniversity (DU).

• Genetic transformation of rice and jute for salinity tolerance and fungus
resistance: being carried out at the Deparment of Biochemistry, DU.

• Genetic transformation of rice and jute for salinity tolerance and fungus
resistance: being carried out at the Deparment of Biochemistry, DU.

• Development of food, fibre and energy through recombinant DNA tech-

nology: being carried out at the Department of Zoology, Rajshahi Uni-
versity (RU).

• DNA finger printing of rice and jute at the Department of Biochemistry,

DU.

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9 The National Institute of Biotechnolog
In 1984, the idea for a National Institute of Biotechnology(NIB) in Bangladesh
was conceived, and by the following year, a Project Proposal had been sub-
mitted to the government for consideration. As a result of this, the gov-
ernment exposed the problem to a number of different investigations and
evaluations over an extended period. Following that, in 1993, at a meeting
of the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), it was deter-
mined that a Bangladesh Institute of Biotechnology would be founded. As a
result, the Planning Commission received a Project Proposal that was sub-
mitted to them. The Planning Commission stated that a feasibility study
report must be presented prior to the formation of such an institute in order
to be approved. A feasibility report was subsequently developed, at a cost of
TK. 35 lakh, and submitted to the government, with a strong proposal for the
formation of a ‘National Institute of Biotechnology’ (NIB). According to the
findings of this report, the Planning Commission created a Project Concept
Paper in 1995, which was then submitted to the Pre-ECNEC meeting. And
thus, after numerous ideas and counter proposals, as well as amendments,
was finally authorized by the government in a meeting of the ECNEC on
May 12, 1999, and a Project Proposal with an estimated cost of Tk 2021.20
lakh was developed in accordance with that approval. Although the original
Project Proposal included a small amount of floor space for laboratories, it
was quickly discovered that this was insufficient for any reputable Biotech-
nology Research Institute. Because of this, a revised Project Proposal with
an estimated cost of Tk 2768.24 lakh was created before the start of building
work, with a total floor area for laboratories of 2250 sq. m. instead of 1116
sq. m. and an estimated cost of Tk 2768.24 lakh. The following are the
institute’s distinguishing characteristics:

• Name of the Project: National Institute of Biotechnology.

• Sponsor Organization/Ministry: Ministry of Science and Technology

Government of Bangladesh.

• Estimated cost: Tk 2768.24 lakh (revised).

• Total Area of Institute Building: 3700 sq. m.

• Total Floor space of the laboratories: 2250 sq. m.

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 • No. of Laboratory: 6

• Total No. of Scientists to work: 100.

• Expected year of completion: June, 2004.

The proposed six Laboratories/Divisions of the institute are:

• DNA Laboratory

• Plant Biotechnology

• Animal Biotechnology

• Fish Biotechnolog

• Fermentation and Bioprocessing

• Bioenergy and Fertilization

Efforts to physically construct the institute have already gotten underway,

with the main laboratory building projected to be completed by the end of
June 2002. The appointment of scientists for the duration of the project is
also in the works.

10 NIB Objectives
In order to address the ever-increasing demands in the country’s food, med-
ical, energy, and industrial sectors, the National Institute of Biotechnology
(NIB) will be founded. The institute’s mission is to expedite research activ-
ities in the field of biotechnology. Besides carrying out important research
programs in agriculture, health, medicine, industry, and the environment
sector in addition to providing support and guidance to other institutions
working in the same areas throughout the country, the institute will also
serve as a clearinghouse for information on these topics. Overarching goals
of enhancing the application of biotechnology in the country include the fol-
lowing. The institute may focus on any or all of these areas:

• Research work on priority problems in agriculture, food, industry, vet-

erinary and human health.

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• Networking of important national projects like genome project, field
testing, etc.

• Human Resource Development – manpower training in biotechnology,

capacity building, bioinformatics and holding of regular seminars and
symposia in order to disseminate the up-to date knowledge on the sub-
ject.

• Policy Planning – act as a national focal point on biosafety, bioethics

and biosurveillance, and also technology alert and assessment system.

• Technology Resource Centre – act as national centre for making use

of proven, economically viable biotechnology on the shelf for fostering
remunerative employment and also act as a seat of Biotechnology Park.

Some important research projects which may be initiated by NIB are:

• Improvement of productivity, nutritional quality and shelf life of food

and animal feed products.

• Improvement of productivity, nutritional quality and shelf life of food

and animal feed products.

• Promotion of use of under utilized crops of possible future importance

for human nutrition and industrial supply of raw materials.

• Development of improved diagnostic techniques and vaccines for pre-

vention and spread of diseases of human as well as useful animals (live-
stocks).

• Utilization of various biotechnological techniques to improve the yield

of fish, algae and other aquatic species.

• Development of appropriate methods to minimize the requirement for

unsustainable synthetic chemical input and to maximize the use of
environmentally appropriate products.

• Development of processes to reduce waste generation, treatment of

waste before disposal and make use of biodegradable materials.

15
 • Development of techniques to remove pollutants from the environment
where conventional techniques are not available or are expensive, inef-
ficient or inadequate.

• Development of processes to increase the availability of planting mate-

rials, particularly the indigenous varieties, for use in afforestation and
reforestation and to improve sustainable yield from the forest.

• Promotion of the use of integrated pest management based on the ju-

dicious use of biocontrol agents.

• Promotion of the appropriate use of biofertilizers within national biofer-

tilizer programmes.

• Promotion of the use of biotechnology relevant to the conservation and

scientific study of the biological diversity and the sustainable use of
biological resources.

11 R&D Priorities
When determining the priorities for biotechnology research and development
activities, the sectors that are considered crucial for our country include
health, energy, agriculture, industry, and the environment. Biotechnology
has the potential to play a significant role in development activities in all
of these sectors if research and development programs are undertaken in a
strategic manner and are appropriately funded. The use of contemporary
genetic techniques to develop vaccines against viral, bacterial, and protozoal
illnesses is becoming more common. Vaccines for fertility regulation, the
manufacturing of medications and pharmaceuticals, and other applications
necessitate substantial investment in research and development operations in
biotechnology and genetic engineering.
When it comes to determining the priorities for research and development
efforts in biotechnology, the sectors that are deemed to be vital for our coun-
try are health, energy, agriculture, industry, and environmental protection.
Biotechnology has the potential to play a significant role in development
activities in all of these sectors if research and development programs are
undertaken in a strategic manner and are appropriately funded. The use of
contemporary genetic techniques to develop vaccines against viral, bacterial,

16
and protozoal illnesses is becoming more common. Vaccines for fertility reg-
ulation, the manufacturing of medications and pharmaceuticals, and other
applications necessitate substantial investment in research and development
operations in biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Programs for the production of high yielding, stress resistant types of food
crops by current genetic engineering techniques, biological nitrogen fixation,
biofertilizers, and bioinsecticides, among other things, should be prioritized in
research and development activity. The conversion of lignocellulosic wastes to
biofuels, the enhancement of biogas technology from both an organismal and
an environmental standpoint (better bioreactor), the construction of energy
plants, and other related activities should be prioritized. It is recommended
that research priority be given to the development of effective activated sludge
processes for waste treatment, as well as to the development of organisms for
the treatment of industrial pollutants and other xenobiotics.
During the month of September 1993, the Government of Bangladesh es-
tablished a National Committee on Biotechnology Product Development to
identify promising biotechnological projects that could be licensed for com-
mercialization. Following careful deliberation, the committee proposed the
following initiatives for consideration as part of a future commercial venture:

• Rhizobial inoculants for use as biofertilizer.

• Yeast as protein supplement for poultry feed.

• Tissue culture derived post exposure anti-tabies vaccine.

• Tissue culture based foot and mouth disease vaccine.

• Bamboo saplings by ex-vitro and in-vitro methods.

• Biogas technology for fuel, fertilizer and environmental pollution con-

trol.

• Production of high quality potato seeds by using tissue culture.

In recent years, some of these projects have been commercialized and made
available to the public. Furthermore, an MOU has been formed with an
entrepreneur, and one of the high yielding patented mutant strains (318/14)
of the Aspergillus niger is currently being tested in an industrial setting for
the manufacture of citric acid.

17
12 Biosafety Regulations
With all the benefits, which accrue from the bio-tech revolution, it appears
that some of them are associated with potential risk as well, as has been
described below:

1. It is believed that over the last three decades, over half of the world’s
plant and animal variety have been lost. One of the most significant
hazards associated with this is that novel variations that are commer-
cially attractive may eventually replace some of the current types if
sufficient attention is not paid to bio-conservation. Once again, the ge-
netic uniformity of plants and animals renders them more susceptible
to pests and illnesses than other organisms. Invasive bacteria, pests,
or viruses that have developed into epidemics can inflict widespread
devastation to a huge number of plants or animals.

2. Therefore, farmers in developing countries have been able to create new

cultivars and organize production, while also halting disease spread be-
cause they were familiar with the indigenous plants and animals they
were cultivating or breeding and the diseases that were likely to affect
them, either by taking preventative measures or by providing the nec-
essary treatment. Due to the advent of bio-tech seed, farmers’ reliance
on the provider would increase, as the supplier would be the only one
who would have all of the necessary information on how to handle dis-
ease problems, if any existed. Because of the patent protection afforded
to biotech products, the farmer would be unable to further develop or
experiment with the variety in question. Farmers and breeders in the
Third World would be reduced to the status of ordinary employees.
The issues surrounding the terminator gene have sparked a significant
amount of debate in this area.

3. It is anticipated that biotechnology would also result in the emergence

of substitution of a huge range of natural components, such as flavors,
fragrances, and coloring agents to be used in the production of bever-
ages, foods, and other things Their manufacturing, their distribution,
and their marketing through the use of cloning to raise the quality and
quantity of a given product flavor, and may have an impact on the
generation of indigenous aromatic and flavoring substances. Medical
plants are those that have medicinal properties. It may also have an

18
 impact on the current genetic diversity. As previously indicated, this
has a number of downsides.

4. The genetically modified animal produced in animal farms would be

cloned in order to boost the protein content, but it may not be to the
liking of consumers because of its taste. Even if the attempt to transfer
the casein gene into rice is successful, it is possible that the rice may
taste like milk. A new experiment on the human genome has prompted
numerous ethical problems that require to be addressed in depth.

5. Finally, the release of genetically modified products into the environ-

ment, where it is unknown what effects they may have on other living
organisms, has the potential to be disastrous, particularly when a large
number of them are released for testing or for a specific purpose, such
as pest control, without considering the possibility of other harmful
side effects.

6. Several multinational corporations have a tendency to test biotech

products without proper protections over a lengthy period of time in
order to learn about their long-term consequences. If the laws of the
country do not permit and cannot be broken, then the testing may be
carried out overseas or in Third World countries, provided such coun-
tries are protected by stringent biosafety rules and regulations in their
own right.

7. Multinational corporations have a tendency to test biotech products

for an extended length of time without proper protections in order to
determine long-term impacts. If the laws of the country do not permit
and cannot be broken, then the tests may be carried out overseas or in
Third World countries, unless such countries are protected by stringent
biosafety laws and procedures.

It is essential to have safety guidelines in place for the proper handling

of genetically modified plants, animals, and microorganisms, and it is also
necessary to have field application safety regulations in place to protect our
environment from the harmful effects of any genetically modified organisms.
During the weekend of December 7 and 8, 1997, the Ministry of Science
and Technology, in collaboration with the Plant Tissue Culture Society of
Bangladesh, organized a workshop on Biosafety Regulation. Taking into

19
consideration the suggestions made by the workshop participants, a Task
Force was established to develop biosafety guidelines and biosafety regula-
tions. There has also been the preparation of a biosafety guideline, which
has recently been authorized by the government.

13 Bioethics
When it comes to biological research, the term ”bioethics” refers to the eth-
ical or moral obligations/rules of behavior/professional standard of conduct
that apply. Though in its literal sense, the term ”Bioethics” relates to all
biological research activities, in practice, the term has only recently begun
to be used to refer to the activities associated with biotechnology research.
In spite of this, all the astonishing activities in biotechnological research
have raised an important question regarding the morality of conducting such
research in general, as well as the guidelines or moral boundaries for working
with ”gene transfer technology,” which has the potential to be dangerous.
And it is from this perspective that the concept of ’bioethics’ has recently
developed in the literature.
In the developed countries, there have been a great deal of disagreements
over bioethical norms and practices. Biotechnological research was done un-
der extremely strict rules in the United States alone until a relatively recent
period. Although biotechnology research, particularly genetic engineering,
is being conducted under relatively liberal regulations in the United States,
in other sophisticated countries, tight regulations and safety criteria are ad-
hered to. Most sophisticated countries that engage with biotechnology have
established ”biosafety guidelines” as well as a ”biosafety Act” that has been
passed by their respective legislatures and which must be rigorously adhered
to when conducting research in the field of biotechnology.
Bangladesh, although being late to this regime in the field of biotechnol-
ogy, is extremely conscientious when it comes to bio-ethical issues. Biotech-
nology, and specifically genetic engineering, is in its infancy at the moment,
with little progress being made. Although the Bangladesh government has
expressed interest in enacting ”biosafety guidelines,” it has not yet done so.
Instead, an expert committee and a national seminar have been convened
to draft national ”biosafety guidelines” that will be followed by scientists
working in the field of biotechnology in the country.
The salient features of the biosafety guidelines are:

20
 • Procedures and guidelines on the introduction, movement and field
release of regulated materials.

• Physio-chemical and biological containment procedures and facilities.

• Guidelines for classification of micro-organisms according to their risk

assessment.

• Good laboratory practices.

• Good industrial large scale practice.

• List of organisms according to different risk groups.

• The Universal Biohazard sign.

• Framework for risk assessment.

• Biosafety Committees.

Following the establishment of adequate biosafety rules for those engaged in

biotechnology-related activities, Bangladesh is considering enacting a ”Act”
passed by the national parliament to address the issue of biotechnology. The
act, which will be known as the ”Bangladesh Biosafety Act-2001,” is currently
in its last stages of development before being submitted to the government for
consideration and consideration before the parliament as a bill for ratification.
The most notable characteristics of this ”Act” will be as follows:

• Short title of the act.

• Definitions of different terms/connotations.

• Formation of National Committee on Biosafety of Bangladesh (NCBB)

• Power and Responsibilities of NCBB.

• Risk Management of GMOs.

• Contained use of GMOs.

• Field Release of GMOs.

• Public Deliberations/Awareness.

21
 • Restriction on Certain activities related to GMOs.
• Working Principles for NCBB.
It is anticipated that, following the passage of the ”Act” by the parliament,
biotechnological research in Bangladesh will take place in a more conducive
environment and that bioethical issues will be addressed more thoroughly.
In response to the issue of bioethics, Bangladesh recently announced that
it will support the International Convention against human cloning for repro-
ductive purposes, which will be included on the agenda of the 56th United
Nations General Assembly. Bangladesh is highly opposed to human repro-
ductive cloning, believing that it is an affront to human dignity and, in
the long run, will wreak devastation to mankind. The United Nations Ed-
ucational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved the
Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights in 1997,
which states that “practices which are incompatible to human dignity, such
as reproductive cloning of human beings, will not be permitted.” In accor-
dance with this proclamation, any attempt to clone a human being should
be prevented through proper action/convention of the United Nations, as it
is in violation of the principles of ”bioethics.”

14 IPR and Biotechnology: Bangladesh Per-

spectives
Bangladesh has prepared a draft legislation on the ”Protection of Biodiver-
sity and Community Knowledge Act,” which represents a significant step
forward in the country’s efforts to fulfill its obligations under the Conven-
tion on Biological Diversity. The draft legislation will be submitted to the
government for approval. However, there is still more work to be done. In
order to develop a complete outline of capacity building and inventory taking
in relation to access to genetic resources, traditional and community knowl-
edge, transfer of technological challenges connected to bioprospecting of bio-
diversity, it is necessary to conduct a detailed analysis of the situation. In
addition to assessments of the current legislative and regulatory frameworks
on access to genetic resources, the stock taking may include an evaluation of
the strengths and weaknesses of the country’s institutional and stakeholder
structures, which may include in particular scientific, technological, and ad-
ministrative configurations.

22
15 Biodiversity and Community Knowledge
Protection Act of Bangladesh
Additionally, a draft has been created on this subject, which is currently
under active review by the Government of Bangladesh. Primary concerns of
the draft act are community knowledge, collective creativity, and community
rights.
The Act shall serve as the primary instrument for guiding, informing,
determining, controlling, reinterpreting, and giving effect, where necessary,
to the rights and privileges granted, if any, to innovations of any form that
have made use of natural and biological resources, including knowledge and
culture, of the country or of other countries with which Bangladesh has
reciprocal recognition of similar acts or ordinances
The Act shall cover all biological and genetic resources, as well as related
information and derivatives, that are within the country’s jurisdiction, both
in-situ and out-of-situ. The Act shall cover both in-situ and out-of-situ.

16 Potentials and Challenges in Biotechnol-

ogy
16.1 Challenges in Biotechnology
1. Infrastructure development: For infrastructure development the
following essential facilities are needed:
(a) Laboratory building
(b) Ancillary facilities: Growth Room, Green House, Animal House,
Insectaris, Aquarium, Hatcheries, etc.
(c) Facilities for field experiments: specialized, well protected and
isolated.
(d) Specialized laboratories: DNA Lab, Genetic Engineering labora-
tory, preferably P4 type.
2. Manpower development: For biotechnological work well qualified
and experienced scientists are needed in the field of:
(a) Molecular biology,

23
 (b) Genetic engineering,
(c) Pretein chemistry,
(d) Chemical engineering, etc.

3. Equipment: Biotechnology needs costly and modern equipment like:

(a) DNA synthesizer,

(b) DNA sequencers,
(c) PCR machine,
(d) Ultracentrifuges,
(e) Laminar Hoods, etc.

4. Chemicals: For biotechnological research work a regular supply of

costly chemicals like enzymes (Restriction Endonucleases), radioactive
substances, chemicals for DNA/RNA isolation, chemicals for in-vitro
DNA/ RNA preparation and synthesis, chemicals for enzyme isolation
and characterization are needed.

16.2 Potentials of Biotechnology in Bangladesh

Despite the fact that Bangladesh is one of the poorest developing countries
in Asia, the country offers significant potential in the field of biotechnology
development. These potentials are mostly based on the abundance of fertile
agricultural land and the richness of its wildlife.
Bangladesh has a large population for its land area and resources. With
a projected population of 192.9 million by 2025 and economic growth trans-
forming millions of lives, our food demand is predicted to outpace our present
production increase. For improved productivity, quality, and value of prod-
ucts, stability of production systems, and environmental conservation, the
Bangladeshi government has taken significant measures to support biotech-
nology research and infrastructural development. To speed up biotechnology
research, the government established the National Institute of Biotechnology
(NIB) under the Ministry of Science Technology. NIB was quickly welcomed
by the national and worldwide communities.
As a result, NIB is the central organization for SAARC biotech working
in Bangladesh, and is associated with the International Centre for Genetic
Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in Trieste, Italy. The Institute has

24
the potential to become a national resource centre for technology transfer and
human resource development in new and developing biotechnology sectors.
The Department of Botany at the University of Dhaka began a plant
biotechnology program in the late 1970s with jute tissue culture. Then,
within 10-12 years, tissue culture research laboratories sprung up in uni-
versities, RD organizations, and private businesses. Some NGOs (BRAC,
PROSHIKA, Square Agric-tech, DEBTECH, Swiss Organisation for Devel-
opment and Cooperation, Institute of Integrated Rural Development, Rural
Development Academy, Aman Agro Industries) are also working on plant tis-
sue culture. Plant regeneration and micro-propagation protocols have been
created for many crops, forest, fruit, ornamental, medicinal, and common
plants, as well as vegetables. In recent years, a number of research insti-
tutions, universities, and private enterprises (Biotech Seeds, Genetic Seeds,
Grameen Krishi, Rantic Ltd., Lal teer Seed Company, Matex BD Ltd. The
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission has created two new mutant lines
with high yield, early maturity, fine grain, dwarf, and photoperiod sensitiv-
ity traits. Projects include large in vitro multiplication of the fast-growing
Paulownia and the multi-purpose Alovera. Golden rice can provide enough
vitamin A to prevent blindness, but only in field experiments. Our impover-
ished people also lack other nutrients, thus some fruits and vegetables could
be genetically modified to provide several nutrients.
Besides superior variations, organizations are focusing on kinds that can
withstand natural disasters. Many laboratories across the country are work-
ing on transgenic plant development, including pest/insect resistance vari-
ants, salt-tolerant kinds, etc. Salt-tolerant rice and cold-tolerant jute cul-
tivars utilizing molecular markers have been developed at the University
of Dhaka. The development of disease and pest resistant pulse variants is
very outstanding. The University of Rajshahi also took a private venture
on plant tissue culture development and marketing, working on strawberries
and exotic flowers that were successfully commercialised. NIB has achieved
micropropagation of several fruits and decorative plants, and is focusing on
stress tolerance gene transformation into egg plant.
Pesticide applications are high and indiscriminate in brinjal, tomato, and
country bean. With the help of Mahar, the National Committee on Biosafety
(NCB) of Bangladesh approved the limited field release of Bt-brinjal on De-
cember 31, 2013. Bangladesh became the first country in South Asia to grow
the GM food crop. The variants have an extra gene Cry1Ac from Bacil-
lus thuringiensis (Bt) that makes them resistant to the damaging insect pest

25
brinjal shoot borer. Bt-brinjals are intended to help reduce pesticide residues
and reduce production losses.
After a decade of research, a team lead by Professor Zeba Islam Seraj of
the University of Dhaka’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department
created four transgenic rice cultivars that outperform conventional breeding
in high soil salinity. A pea gene called helicase was inserted into four high
yielding rice varieties (HYVs) to improve salt tolerance and yield potential.
The team is now preparing these kinds for controlled field trials and green-
house trials.
Development of fast diagnostic tools, post-harvest technology, and stress
tolerant crop types are some of the future potentials of plant biotechnology.
Biotechnology in health care and diagnostic services is growing. Organi-
sations like the Bangladesh Institute of Research in Diabetic, Endocrine and
Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), the Institute of Public Health (IPH), the In-
stitute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) are notable.
Providers of molecular diagnostics such as PCR and microsatellite markers
for tuberculosis, diarrhoea, cholera, and hepatitis viruses. ICDDR,B is work-
ing on a Shigella vaccine. BIRDEM provides molecular diagnostic services
such as PCR for infectious diseases (TB, HBV, HIV, etc.) and karyotyping.
Recently, a private company has begun offering molecular testing services,
too. The IPH manufactures vaccinations and antisera. The IPH scientists
worked hard to produce enough highly effective small pox vaccines to make
the initiative a success. The IPH has been producing high quality tetanus
vaccinations since 1992. With the help of the International Center for Genetic
Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Incepta, a leading pharmaceutical
company in India, will commercialize hepatitis B vaccine. Establishing the
National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory at the Dhaka Medical College
Hospital (DMCH) in 2005 enabled Bangladesh to conduct forensic testing of
world grade, including paternity tests, criminal disputes in rape and murder
cases.
Animal biotechnology includes approaches for improving animal species
genetically, developing animal vaccinations, and developing fast diagnostic
test kits for livestock, poultry, and companion animals. BAU, Chittagong
Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Bangladesh Livestock Research
Institute, etc. are working to utilize current biotechnology tools to develop
livestock and poultry. Traditional biotechnology techniques like artificial in-
semination and selective breeding are widely used in the country. In vitro
fertilisation and embryo transfer have been utilized effectively in laboratories

26
and field trials. BLRI has developed vaccinations for cattle, poultry, and
goats, including the Goat Plague (PPR) vaccine. Anthrax, FMD, poultry
cholera, Salmonella, Newcastle disease, and other vaccines are produced by
the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock’s Department of Livestock Services
(MoFL). BLRI is also working on a multivalent FMD vaccination. The Na-
tional Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza at BLRI has been engaged
to detect avian influenza virus subtype and molecular characterization of the
disease since 2007. These technologies are being used to verify parentage and
molecular characterization of indigenous goat, sheep, cattle and buffaloes at
NIB, BAU and BLRI. BLRI and BAU study karyotyping and blood protein
polymorphism in goat, sheep, cattle, and buffalo.
The Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) undertakes funda-
mental biotechnological research on endangered fish species seed production,
carp, catfish, and GIFT production, monosex tilapia production, hydrid
magur and punti development, and freshwater pearl production. The Uni-
versity of Dhaka’s Faculty of Science and the Bangladesh Agricultural Uni-
versity’s Faculty of Fisheries are developing methodologies for characterising
commercially significant fish species such as Hilsa using RAPD, mtDNA, and
RFLP. There are no transgenic fish in the country.
Bangladesh has failed to make significant advances in industrial biotech-
nology. Modern biotechnological programs involving gene transfer have yet
to get underway. However, the findings are encouraging, and several projects
are advanced enough to be commercialized. Commercial production of spir-
ulina, biofertiliser, baker’s yeast, and citric acid has begun. A few distilleries
in the country use over 50,000 MT of molasses to make ethyl alcohol. In addi-
tion, single cell proteins are studied. This plan has been created in light of the
National Biotechnology Policy, 2012. Biogas production from animal excreta
(cow dung) and agricultural leftovers has made tremendous progress. The
IFRD has long worked in this subject. More than 20,000 biogas units have
been constructed in rural regions as a result of research findings and further
development in conjunction with DOE. The government has also initiated a
nationwide effort to install approximately 100,000 biogas plants. The BC-
SIR’s Institute of Fuel Research and Development has deployed over 25,000
household biogas systems over three initiatives. Bangladesh had roughly
65,317 biogas plants installed as of December 31, 2012. Three novel bacte-
rial species (Rhizobium bangladeshense, Rhizobium binae, and Rhizobium
lentis) were found last year at the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agricul-
ture (BINA).

27
 These newly discovered species may be used to produce biofertilisers for
lentil, pea, and lathyrus crops. Earlier Rhizobium biofertiliser manufacturing
at BINA had been successful, as had its usage in pulse crops. An substantial
demand for Rhizobium biofertiliser is seen in the country. Grains legumes
are the poor’s protein meat alternative and part of their daily meal. Using
Rhizobium biofertiliser boosted grain legume output by 20%. Using biofer-
tiliser in the growing season can increase earnings for Bangladeshi farmers
and benefit the entire population. BINA, NIB, and BAU are working on rice
biofertiliser.
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission has used low dosage gamma
radiation on silkworms to increase silk production. Gamma radiation has
made significant improvements in sterile insect technique (SIT). Insect man-
agement today includes hormonal and pheromonal control, as well as inte-
grated pest management (IPM). The University of Dhaka has started isolat-
ing and characterising Bacillus Thuringiensis strains for Lepidopteran pest
control.
The Sericulture Research Institute has long worked to improve sericul-
ture productivity in Bangladesh. Recently, the BCSIR Laboratories’ Zoology
Section in Dhaka has been researching DNA bar-coding for taxonomic iden-
tification and documentation of diverse endemic insect, plant, and animal
species, as well as for detection of adulteration in processed and unprocessed
food products.
In 2010, Dr. Maqsudul Alam led a team from the University of Dhaka,
DataSoft IT firm, and Bangladesh Jute Research Institute to sequence the
jute genome. Bangladesh therefore became the second developing country,
after Malaysia, to sequence a plant genome. The same team deciphered
the genome of Macrophomina phaseolina, a Botryosphaeriaceae fungus that
causes seedling blight, root rot, and charcoal rot in over 500 crop and non-
crop species worldwide. The sequencing was done at the Bangladesh Jute
Research Institute’s laboratory as part of the BARJ project. Finally, Lat
Teer Seed Company announced on January 24, 2014 that the Buffalo genome
had been sequenced by the Beijing Genome Institute (BGI) in China.
As Bangladesh’s traditional sector, agricultural biotechnology - whether
plant biotechnology, animal biotechnology, fisheries or aquaculture – has
tremendous potential for future development in every aspect. There is no
other place on the planet where such a rich, fertile alluvial soil can be found,
allowing plants to be cultivated with such ease. The general public is also
well-versed in the various agricultural approaches that are available. What

28
is required is a good variety of plant or a good stock of animals/poultry/fish,
etc., both of which can be developed through current biotechnological re-
search and development. In order to accomplish this, the country requires
a good infrastructure as well as a team of highly trained individuals to con-
duct research in the modern field of biotechnology, which includes genetic
engineering, cell culture, cell fusion, protein engineering, enzyme technology,
and other related fields. Bangladesh also has a great deal of promise for
the development of agricultural-based industrial biotechnology in the future.
Agricultural biotechnology on a modest scale, which is most appropriate for
the country, could be fostered in this regard.

16.3 Constraints for Capacity Building

The constraints for capacity building in biotechnology in Bangladesh may be
summarised as follows:

• Capital incentiveness of biotechnology.

• Poor economic condition of the country.

• Lack of venture capital.

• Lack of political will.

• Lack of adequate trained manpower.

• Lack of incentives for biotech researchers.

In the face of great political will, however difficult it may appear to be to

overcome these limits, it is possible to do so rather quickly. In the current
political climate, the Bangladesh government has demonstrated a strong po-
litical will and is providing appropriate incentives for the development of
biotechnology in the country. A National Institute of Biotechnology is in the
process of being established, and it will be operational in the near future.

17 Future Improvement
The following suggestions are being put forward for effective development of
Biotechnology in the Asian region:

29
 • Making biotechnology a top priority for national development by the
individual governments of Asian countries: This must be the top prior-
ity since, without a strong political will, the development of the topic
will be further delayed, as has been the case in the past.
• A powerful Task Force for biotechnology development, comprised of
people from all Asian countries who have received extensive biotech-
nology training, must be established in order to devise a long-term plan
of action.
• Perspective plan for the next 20 years: A perspective 20-year plan must
be prepared promptly so that no time is wasted unnecessarily due to
a lack of good planning, and an action plan must be formulated at the
same time.
• The majority of Asian countries are poor, which necessitates the for-
mation of a common consortium. As a result, a ”common fund” for
biotechnological development, funded by voluntary or mandatory con-
tributions commensurate with national capabilities, might be estab-
lished in order to implement action-oriented programs that would ben-
efit all countries in the region. The elimination of duplication of efforts
by individual countries as well as the preservation of funds are also
advantages.
• The establishment of centers of excellence through collaborative efforts:
Biotechnology is a subject that requires accuracy and excellence. Be-
cause of this, it requires centers of excellence. However, because it
is difficult for individual Asian countries to establish such facilities, a
regional collaborative initiative to address the issue may be the most
effective solution.

18 Conclusion
Biotechnology has completely transformed the area of biology, and genetic
engineering is at the center of this revolution. Bangladesh is on the verge of
making its way onto the international arena. A joint initiative of the countries
of the Asian region may aid in the acceleration of progress in the field of
biotechnology, which has significant potential for alleviating the suffering of
the teeming millions of people living in the region’s urban areas.

30
References

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