The term biotechnology comprises of two words,
Biology and Technology. The area of biotechnology is very large as it
covers a wide range of subjects such as Genetics, Immunology,
Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering, Health, Medicine, Seed Technology
etc. Biotechnology deals with the study of how cells and bacteria can be
used in industrial process. Biotechnology has several branches such as
Red Biotechnology, Green Biotechnology, White Biotechnology, Blue
Biotechnology etc.
Importance of Biotechnology:
In today's era, when people are exposed to so many physical disorders,
biotechnology plays a vital role in developing medicines, vaccines,
energy production, and conservation. To keep pace with the competitive
world India has launched a comprehensive programme in biotechnology to
make use of the resources available. Most of the effort is from the
government with little participation of private investors. In India the
Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was established in the year 1986 under
the ministry of Science and Technology. Soon after it was established,
it began to sponsor research in agriculture, bio fertilizers, molecular
biology etc. In India more than 6000 biotechnologists are required as
reported by the HRD ministry.
Current Status of Bio Technology Sector in India:
Today it is one the most dominant sector providing employment to
thousands of qualified people. Indian biotechnology sector comprises of
325 companies and it is estimated to generate revenue of US$ 5 billion
by 2010. The sector has been growing at the rate of nearly 35% to 40 %
annually. Some of the facts which says of the booming bio technology
sector in India are as follows:
Hyderabad is emerging as a hub pf discovery research in biotech and
pharma industry, thanks to Genome Valley project in Hyderabad. In
Gujarat too numbers of biotech companies are coming up.
Future of the Bio Technology Sector
The bio tech industry is growing annually at a rate of 35% to 40%.Of
the 325 biotech companies in India nearly 40 % operate in Bio pharma
sector. India is becoming one of the favored destinations for
bioinformatics, contract research, clinical research etc.
Two global biotech companies, Amgen and Biogen have set up wholly owned
subsidiaries in the country.
