Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) to drive a biotech manufacturing revolution, akin to the IT sector’s transformation in the 1990s.

• BioE3 Policy aims to foster high-performance biomanufacturing and broadly focuses on the six strategic/thematic sectors.

• High-performance biomanufacturing is the ability to promote the manufacturing of bio-based products through the integration of advanced biotechnological processes. 

Key Objectives

• This policy seeks to drive high-performance bio-manufacturing, circular Bioeconomy and to meet key national challenges of climate change, food security, and public health.

• Encourage the enhancement and market application of technology in the field of biotechnology 

• Encourage the use of green growth strategies for development of the regenerative bioeconomy 

• Increase the employment of Indian trained manpower across its economy, especially in the biotechnology industry. 

• Promote other governmental strategies such as ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and ‘Lifestyle for Environment’. 

Strategic Thematic Sectors: The policy covers six thematic areas:

1. Bio-based chemicals, biopolymers, and enzymes.

2. Smart proteins and functional foods.

3. Precision biotherapeutics.

4. Climate-resilient agriculture.

5. Carbon capture and utilization.

6. Marine and space research.

Salient Features

• Fostering Innovation: Encourages the development of bio-based products that can address environmental, agricultural, and industrial challenges.

• Capacity Building: Supports the creation of internships for students in grades 11th and 12th, as well as fellowships for graduate and post-graduate research.

• Focus on National Priorities: Addresses critical areas such as sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and biotechnology innovation to meet national needs.

• Government Backing: Merged various schemes into a single initiative called “Vigyan Dhara,” which allocates significant resources for science, technology, research, and innovation.

• Acceleration of technology development and commercialization by establishing Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Bio-foundry.

• Prioritizing regenerative bio-economy models of green growth.

• Facilitating the expansion of India's skilled workforce and job creation.

Benefits

• Further strengthen the Government’s initiatives, such as ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy & ‘Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)’.

• Accelerated ‘Green Growth’ by promoting ‘Circular circular bio-economy’ in India. 

• Policy will foster a future that is more sustainable, innovative, and responsive to global challenges and lays down the bio-vision for Viksit Bharat.

What is Biotechnology? 

• It is a technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms or parts of this to develop or create different products. Genomic technologies are defined as technologies used to manipulate and analyze genomic information.

• Examples of Biotechnology

1. Medical Biotechnology

2. Genetic engineering

3. Industrial Biotechnology

4. Environmental Biotechnology

Indian Biotechnology Sector

• Valued at $151.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $300 billion by 2030.

• India, with a 3% share of the global biotechnology industry, is ranked third in Asia and is among the top 12 biotech destinations in the world.

• Key initiatives include National Biopharma Mission, financial support by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, etc. 

Few challenges associated with Biotechnology

• Biotechnology can threaten the survival of certain species by interfering with natural ways of breeding

• As biotechnology allows crops to intake more nutrients from the soil, this will result in loss of soil fertility

• Biotechnology can lead to biological weapons that terrorists could use for destruction(Bio wars)

• Altering DNA in humans can result in the commercialization of these techniques thus it can turn human life into a commodity.

• Protecting patient privacy is becoming an increasing concern due to the latest advances in technology that are making it possible to decipher the human genome.

• The development in genomics and techniques for creating artificial genes present serious threats to humans and the environment in general

• Lack of public awareness of the modern tools of biotechnology

Conclusion

• Biotechnology has numerous advantages but it also has some disadvantages. Biotechnology could be utilised in solving future problems like food and water insecurity, hereditary diseases, etc but its ethical, and social issues need to be taken into account while its usage.

• The resources invested in industrialization of Biology will encourage circular and sustainable practices thus contributing to India’s bioeconomic growth and a sustainable future.