Following the authorization by the voice note of Rajya Shaba, the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016 was passed by the parliament on July 18.
What is this The Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016?
- The Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016 was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 15, 2016.
- It is known that India had entered into an agreement in 2006 with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the establishment of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Training and Education in India.
- With effect of this agreement, the central government set up the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Training and Education in Faridabad, Haryana as per an executive order in 2009. The Bill seeks to provide legal backing to the Regional Centre.
- This bill also bestows upon it the status of an institution of national importance. An institution of national importance is an institute which imparts scientific or technical education and is authorized to grant degrees.
 What is this Biotechnology regional centre?
This centre will acts as a foundation of education, training and research with National Importance and this centre will operate under the aegis of UNESCO and this will also cater the needs of its member countries. This centre helps in the flourishment of biotech arena by providing:-
- Disseminating knowledge by providing teaching and research facilities in biotechnology and related fields,
- Facilitating transfer of technology and knowledge in the SAARC region
- Constituting a center for biotechnology expertise
- Promoting fraternity and cooperation at the international level.
This new centre will enhance technology that can revolutionize agriculture, healthcare, industrial processing and environmental sustainability and thereby results in societal benefits and economic transformation.
Aims of this Research Centre Bill:-
With the onset of this bill, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Department of Bio-technology (DBT) have developed in-depth guidelines in the area of stem cells that are being dynamically implemented and violation of which are being addressed by the appropriate authorities.
This kind of Development in biotechnology sector at a higher pace has resulted in a bigger demand for highly specialized cadre of scientists capable of translating laboratory research to clinical practice. Still, there is a requirement of domain-specific training programmes for enhancing skills for the scientists working in biotechnology industry as well. In order to address this requirement Biotechnology centre has been established in order to enhance our ability to innovate in the local context which can be further extended to education and training in biotechnology.
