Answer:
- Applied biotechnology refers to the utilization of biological systems, organisms, and biomolecules to develop products and technologies that address challenges in agriculture, healthcare, industry, and environmental management. India has emerged as a global biotechnology hub with significant achievements in recent years.
Research and Developmental Achievements in Applied Biotechnology
1. Agricultural Biotechnology
- Development of Bt Cotton, India’s first commercially successful GM crop.
- Biofortified varieties such as zinc-rich wheat and iron-fortified rice to combat malnutrition.
- Tissue culture and micropropagation techniques for disease-free planting material.
- RNA interference (RNAi) and genome-editing technologies for pest and stress resistance.
2. Healthcare Biotechnology
- Indigenous vaccines such as Covaxin, Hepatitis-B vaccine, and ZyCoV-D DNA vaccine.
- Advances in gene therapy, stem-cell research, and CRISPR-based genome editing.
- Affordable diagnostic kits for diseases such as TB, dengue, and COVID-19.
- Growth of the biopharmaceutical sector through the National Biopharma Mission.
3. Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology
- Production of biofuels, bioplastics, enzymes, and biofertilizers.
- se of microbes for bioremediation of polluted soil and water.
- Fermentation technologies for value-added food products and industrial applications.
4. Recent Government Initiatives
- Genome India Project for precision medicine and disease prediction.
- Biotech-KISAN Programme for transferring biotechnology solutions to farmers.
- Promotion of biotechnology startups under BioE3 Policy and DBT initiatives.
| Role in Uplifting Poorer Sections of Society |
| Sector | Benefits for Poorer Sections |
| ♦ Agriculture | ◊ Higher productivity, reduced crop losses, increased farm income |
| ♦ Healthcare | ◊ Affordable vaccines, diagnostics, and medicines for rural populations |
| ♦ Nutrition | ◊ Biofortified crops help tackle hidden hunger and malnutrition |
| ♦ Employment | ◊ Growth of biotech industries and startups creates skilled and semi-skilled jobs |
| ♦ Environment | ◊ Cleaner water, soil restoration, and sustainable livelihoods |
| ♦ Women Empowerment | ◊ Participation of SHGs in tissue culture, mushroom cultivation, and bio-input production |
Conclusion
- Applied biotechnology is a powerful tool for achieving inclusive and sustainable development. By enhancing food security, improving healthcare access, generating employment, and addressing environmental challenges, biotechnology can significantly improve the quality of life of marginalized and economically weaker sections, thereby contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).