Bangladesh has adopted the National Policy Guidelines on Biotechnology to accelerate multidimensional biotechnological research for augmenting human welfare in all respects such as food security, health and a sound environment in particular.
The National Task Force on Biotechnology of Bangladesh in a meeting on July 19, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), approved the policy guidelines, with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of the task force, in the chair. The broad objectives of the policy include increasing production and preservation capacities of various crops, fishes, and medicinal items as well as restoring various extinct useful species and ensuring safety of public health and the environment. The top-level task force on Biotechnology was formed on February 10, 2004. The policy was framed through extensive research in all aspects of the modern technology. ICT Minister of Bangladesh, Abdul Moyeen Khan presented national policy guidelines on ICT; Fisheries and Livestock Minister, Abduallah Al Noman presented national policy guidelines on Fisheries and Livestock; Health Minister Khandokar Mosharraf Hossain presented national policy guidelines on Medical Technology and Environment and Forest Minister, Tariqul Islam presented bio-safety guidelines for Bangladesh. Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister asked for formulating a 20-year national roadmap on biotechnology ‘on priority basis’.
