A review meeting of the Biotechnology Department was addressed by the new Ministry, Dr. Jitendra Singh stating, India has huge resource material for both research as well as medical, to offer the world exclusive preventive and therapeutic options, particularly because Indian phenotype and Indian genotype are different from the rest of the world. As a result, both the epidemiology as well as the clinical course of diseases, including the currently prevalent infections due to Coronavirus or the mutant viruses, could be different and therefore, India’s researchers and scientists also owe the responsibility to provide Indian remedies for the Indian patient.

Senior Scientists, Statistical Adviser, and officers of the administrative wings of the Department attended the review meeting.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that COVID has shifted focus to biotech and genetic interventions and this offers an appropriate opportunity for us to work on strategic research outcomes which are specifically India-centric and can provide answers to many questions posed by the contemporary health scenario.

Further, the new ministry called upon the Biotechnologists to identify at least two exclusive projects which could be researched and completed with definite conclusions and results around the 75th Independence anniversary of India in 2022, also has asked the Biotechnology Department to explore the feasibility of conducting joint projects with premier Medical Institutions like AIIMS and at the same time also engage the industry, private players and young Start-Ups in these projects.

Dr. Jitendra Singh particularly emphasized the need to reinforce the infrastructural strength by cutting down the number of autonomous bodies functioning in the Department or try to merge two or more to make them more focused and oriented. He said the time has come for the Biotechnology Department to emerge as a service - provider for the common citizens and contribute to ‘“Ease of Living” and “Ease of Health” and to reduce unnecessary expenditure.

While welcoming the Minister, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology Dr. Renu Swarup said that the Department is striving towards developing biotech products, processes, and technologies to improve agricultural practices, food and nutritional security, and affordable health care.