Biotech effective tool to tackle red tide

Salalah, Jan 8 - The answer to issues like red tide, waste management and food safety lies in applied biotechnology, which needs to be expanded through research and awareness among educational institutions. Dr Ahmed al Shanfari, Director, Agricultural and Livestock Research in Dhofar, laid emphasis on the use of biotechnology, which “offers immense opportunities for a country like Oman”. He called for the proper use of biotechnology to reap the benefits in healthcare, crop production and agriculture. “Biotechnology is highly beneficial in non-food industrial uses of crops and other products like biodegradable plastics, vegetable oil and bio-fuels,” he said. Dr Ahmed al Shanfari is an agrotechnology specialist in biotechnology and plant molecular biology. In an interview with the Observer, he sought the development of independent courses in biotechnology instead of being satisfied with some projects and experiments under the department of biology at the faculty of science or department of crop science at the faculty of agriculture and marine sciences, or even with the faculty of medicine in the universities. Commenting on the country’s preparedness to tap the potential of biotechnology, Dr AL Shanfari sought to expand the technology through educational institutions. “We find that different applications of biotechnology were introduced in Oman in 1990s. It needs to achieve the required level, especially on educational and academic fronts.” He, however, expressed satisfaction over inclusion of this technology in the strategy plans of The Research Council (TRC) and major educational institutions. “In 2010, a steering committee for Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (APGRC) was formed by the TRC to formulate a comprehensive and integrated plan for a Genetic Resources Centre,” he said. On the technology’s global acceptance, Dr Al Shanfari said: “In the late 20th and early 21st century, biotechnology has expanded to include new and diverse sciences such as genomics, recombinant gene technologies, applied immunology and development of pharmaceutical therapies and diagnostic tests.” The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries began its first experiment with biotechnology with the setting up of a tissue culture laboratory in 1992 at Jemah Research Station. In course of time, many other labs were set up that worked to utilise biotechnology in three main areas like DNA fingerprinting, disease diagnosis, and genetic transformation. Dr Al Shanfari called for a more assertive approach to reap maximum benefit of the technology.