After five straight years of rapid expansion, India’s biotechnology industry slowed to 20 per cent growth in the year, down from more than 30 per cent in the previous years, largely due to a rising rupee and price pressures in the global market. According to an annual biotech industry survey, the industry earned Rs 10,273 crore, up from Rs 8,541 crore in the fiscal year that ended in March 2007. Since 56 per cent of the industry’s earnings came from exports in 2007-08, the rupee gaining around 12 per cent against the dollar impacted the growth momentum, the survey said. However, investments at Rs 2,750 crore showed an annual increase of more than 21 per cent.      

Biotechnology Regulatory Authority in political radar --

After being targeted by scientists, now the proposed National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority has come under the radar of political parties. According to media reports, the CPI(M) is planning to oppose the National Biotechnology Regulatory Bill, 2008 as well as the proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority. The party objects to a clause in the bill pertaining to “GM agriculture products”. According to a party member if the bill is cleared in its present form, production of GM agriculture products would become legal in India. The party also plans to launch a national campaign against the bill.

‘Declare GMOs in food products’

UK’s National Commission for Biological Diversity has proposed to grow tobacco in an artificial environment for experimental purposes. However, according to UK’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, this issue is being studied for the time being. The minister also demanded compulsory declaration of presence of GMOs in customs declarations and provision of fine if importers or exporters do not observe this rule. 

Transgenic tomato against Alzheimer's?

Now transgenic tomatoes could be used as a vaccine against Alzheimer's, scientists claim. The scientists genetically modified the tomato to create an edible vaccine that prevents the disease. It works by attacking the toxic beta-amyloid protein that destroys vital connections between brain cells, causing Alzheimer's. To create the vaccine, the scientists combined the gene behind the betaamyloid protein with the tomato's genetic code. They then fed mice the designer tomatoes once a week for three weeks. Blood samples taken from the mice revealed the tomatoes triggered their immune systems to release disease-fighting antibodies.