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The global diffusion of biotechnology has played a pivotal role in restructuring the global order in the post-Cold War era. Institution of a strong domestic base in biotech has arguably allowed emerging economies in the Global South to negotiate with developed countries from a position of strength. This paper critically examines the rise of Brazil as a case in point to examine the role of biotechnology as a great equaliser of power in North-South relations. It identifies the institution of a strong domestic biotechnology base as a primary facilitator of Brazil's emergence as a globally influential player. The paper does so through delineating the various means through which Brazil has drawn from biotechnology to boost its international image and influence. Firstly, it analyses the nuances within Brazil's domestic biotechnology strategy while underlining their catalytic effect in driving fast-paced advances in the field. Brazil's policy successes with respect to genomics and biofuels are highlighted. The paper discusses Brazil's employment of biotechnology as an effective foreign policy tool in niche diplomacy ventures of health, agriculture, and biofuels to grow its clout in the Global South. Brazil's tactful ability to combine its biotechnology expertise with skilful diplomatic manoeuvring to pioneer novel normative paradigms that favour the Global South has been studied. The paper concludes that Brazil's biotechnology strategy presents a good model for emerging economies in Asia and Africa to emulate to improve their relative standing in the multipolar world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating drones in Indian agriculture presents a transformative potential, ushering in a new era of sustainable farming practices. In India, various incidents tell a story of how pesticides, seeds, and many more applications, once deemed a boon for agricultural progress, have gradually unfolded into a complex web of ecological and health challenges. Presently, the case of drones for spraying purposes in agriculture brings forth compiling advantages. These include enhanced precision in results, alleviation of the diverse adverse effects linked with manual spraying methods, operational feasibility in inclement weather conditions, utility in cultivating tall-standing crops and addressing the complexities of manual spraying for crops such as paddy and sugarcane. This paper explores the role of drones in promoting spraying applications in Indian agriculture. The study addresses two research questions: how can the utilisation of drones for spraying applications contribute to the sustainability of Indian agriculture, and how can drone-assisted spraying applications contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Indian agriculture? To accomplish this, a responsible innovation approach is adopted as a theoretical framework to explore the dimensions of innovations in drone mounted spraying in Indian agriculture, juxtaposed by erratic weather conditions and knitted by diverse values and norms. The snowball sampling technique was employed to identify the interviewees and collect qualitative data. For this, in-depth interviews were conducted in person or by using Zoom. The findings suggest that efficiency, capability, effectiveness, gender equality, trust, and accuracy are certain values embedded in drone technology that assist in achieving the SDGs in Indian agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses three concepts from medical sociology – pharmaceuticalisation, corporate bias and the permissive principle – showing how these conceptual tools can be used to analyse bioeconomic fairness and efficiency in relation to the development, regulation and consumption of pharmaceuticals. The three concepts reveal the problematic impacts of the influence and interests of the pharmaceutical industry at various levels of the development, regulation and subsequent use of pharmaceuticals – and, as such, various possible examples of bioeconomic inefficiency and unfairness. First, the paper discusses the concept of pharmaceuticalisation which enables analysis of the social forces that can shape the new or widening usages of pharmaceuticals. It suggests that if social forces, such as medicalisation, consumerism or deregulatory ideology are driving the widening or new use of pharmaceuticals then pharmaceuticals in specific contexts might be said to be inefficient solutions. Next, the paper shows how the concept of corporate bias enables analysts to engage with the question of the interests served in pharmaceutical development and regulation. The paper highlights how, due to corporate bias, regulation can work unfairly in the interests primarily of the pharmaceutical industry and to the detriment of patient and public health. Finally, the paper discusses the permissive principle, where benefits are assumed to outweigh risks in pharmaceutical regulation. The presence of permissiveness means that pharmaceutical products that lack benefit or are unsafe may nevertheless achieve regulatory approval – potentially meaning inefficient spending or use of healthcare resources, as well as unfairly serving commercial interests over the patient and public health interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomic research lies at the core of national bioeconomies and is a strategic area for national scientific competitiveness. Drawing on the UK’s latest national vision on genomic research and my participation in one of China’s policy consultations on its implementing rules on human genetic resources, this paper demonstrates how China’s conception of ‘biosovereignty’ may be counterproductive, both to its scientific competitiveness and to the health of its people. The key argument is that ‘biosovereignty’ is not a property of an individual, a community, or an institution. Rather it is a powerful assemblage of ideals, infrastructures and network of capitals that steers our collective future. It is simultaneously a social contract and a social construct, both of which are evolving with socio-technical realities. The paper provokes reflections on the role of the state in promoting equitable genomic research and the question on what ‘biosovereignty’ means and how it should be represented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science and policy are human constructs to understand biodiversity. This paper attempts to review the relationship between science and policy for biodiversity in India. It has been found that sciences and policies/programmes for biodiversity were shaped by national objectives and commitment to global and transnational goals for the planet’s well-being, where biodiversity is an integral part of planetary well-being. The paper also shows how utilitarianism marked both research as well as policies and programmes with respect to biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation demands policies that are not just about economic gains within a plan period, but about larger conservation, threats to survival (species extinction), and inter-generational time scales. Given the global emphasis on biodiversity conservation particularly in the context of climate change and food security, country like India needs to balance multiple demands and multiple stakeholder’s interests. The relationship between science and policy for biodiversity Post independence in India has converged for increasing utility from natural resources and simultaneously increasing human wellbeing. There is a need for biodiversity policy in the country to be fed by robust science and different knowledge forms where biodiversity is understood not only as a species or breed to be conserved but the system’s heterogeneity and the ontology of biodiversity to ensure sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centella asiatica (commonly known as gotu kola, the Chinese name is Jixuecao) has a long history of application and is widely used in many countries. Ethnobotanical fieldwork with Buyi villagers in Guizhou Province, China revealed that Centella asiatica is one of the most frequently consumed herbal teas. This paper reports on the nutritional value of Centella asiatica and some preparation methods for a new complex health care tea that we developed with it. The main objective of this short case study is to reflect on the social and ethical implications of developing a commercial tea product based on traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK has been a global leader in the development and regulation of biobanks and bio-databases that facilitate clinical and laboratory access to tissue, blood samples, DNA and data. Yet the persistent barrier to mobilise non-White communities into actively contributing to and, subsequently benefiting from structural and scientific advantages that the UK can offer constitutes a ‘Silent Crisis’. This paper builds on ongoing research on stem cell donations carried out by the authors in the UK. We underline the centrality of the concept of ‘relatedness’ in donor recruitment, and the tricky role it has played, both as a uniting and an alienating force within and between different ethnic communities. We argue that the building of a thick societal relatedness or what we term as ‘polyphonic relatedness’ offers a constructive guidance to overcome the racial disparity in biomaterial donations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This short commentary discusses the continuing role of war and militarism in the development of biotechnologies. I follow current and past events in the US related to the establishment of a formal structure - an intelligence community-led advanced research projects agency - where the military can interact with the market and act as an incubator and a consumer of new (bio)technologies. I contrast this traditional united-statian approach with the current way the Brazilian Science, Technology and Innovation System is organized. The paper discusses the implications of these fundamentally different ways of producing (bio)technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital sequence information (DSI) is crucial to technological advancements in diverse product areas from agriculture to environment and therapeutics. Advances in DNA sequencing technology have made it possible to generate and share vast amounts of genetic information data of various organisms at the global level at a relatively low cost. Advocates of open science support open access to DSI of genetic resources stored in public and private databases in silos. Due to the existing conundrum over the application of ABS mechanism under the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) and its Nagoya Protocol(NP) to intangible genetic data, much of the DSI usage is happening without obtaining Prior Informed Consent(PIC) of provider countries and communities, a mandatory requirement for access and utilisation of genetic material. This is hampering the negotiations under the CBD and NP framework for sharing of benefits of commercial utilisation of the resources with the resource providers. Allowing free access to genetic resource sequence information without PIC and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) will be detrimental to the interests of indigenous peoples and local communities who foster and preserve biodiversity in their jurisdictions. The paper examines the issues and arguments surrounding DSI and investigates the possibility and prospects of applying the ABS under the CBDNP framework to DSI. It will analyse the negotiations taking place under the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity as well as the decisions on DSI that arrived in the COP15(Committee of Parties) held in Montreal in December 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooperation in areas of science & technology is a crucial element in the India-Australia strategic partnership. Both countries have promoted research & innovation in the areas of biotechnology through research grants, exchange of scholars, visits of Indian scholars to Australian institutions, etc. Indo-Australian Biotechnology Fund for Collaborative Research Projects was established under the Indo-Australia innovations partnership. Research relating to Biotechnology in the fields of agriculture, food security, biomedical devices and implants, and marine sciences has been of prime focus in the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF). Research promotion in biological systems is one of the crucial areas in recent initiatives taken by both countries in advancing critical and emerging technologies. Today Indian agriculture & allied sectors face numerous challenges from climate change, drought, declining water levels, and substantial losses to crop pests, including insects, rodents, nematodes, fungal pathogens, bacteria, viruses, etc. Abiotic stresses like drought, extreme temperatures, salinity, and mineral toxicity negatively impact the growth of crops. New challenges, therefore, require energizing science diplomacy for greater collaboration with nations, which have developed scientific cultures and advanced systems of facilitating and nurturing innovations in the field of biotechnology and agriculture sciences. In the broader policy framework of science diplomacy, science & technology cooperation, including new technology for the agriculture sector, has been a crucial element of Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy. In addition to bilateral initiatives, the scope for India-Australia science & technology cooperation through multilateral formats such as G20 and Quad should be explored. In this context, the article analyses the India-Australia cooperation in biotechnology and how it can be further expanded in addressing new areas. The paper also analyses India-Australia cooperation and offers an overview of Indo-Australian Career Boosting Gold Fellowships from the Department of Biotechnology and first-hand research experience of La Trobe University, Melbourne, under the programme. IACBGF has been instrumental in widening the exposure and capacity building of independent young researchers working in the domain of biotechnology in Indian academic institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gujarat is one of India’s most bio-diverse states and is very rich in biological diversity with regards to Asiatic lion, indigenous cow breeds (Gir), indigenous Kesar mango, microbes, insects, and bryophytes etc. Access and benefit sharing (ABS) clause through an additional CBD protocol known as the Nagoya Protocol for the Utilisation of Biological Resources and shared between users and providers for the protection of biological resources. In India, in line with this notion, the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Rules, 2004 were enacted by the Parliament of India. For this paper, data related to Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), and the status of applications for access and benefit sharing in states was gathered and analysed for the status of the implementation of access and benefit sharing (ABS) from biological resources in Gujarat. Moreover, the level of awareness among the prominent users (industries) of biological resources related to access and benefit sharing (ABS) was assessed through the generation of a telephonic questionnaire survey of different sets of questions. The research discusses an outlook on access and benefit sharing (ABS) of biological resources in Gujarat State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the sharp rise in world population, it is predicted that in the next 20 years, the world’s energy demand would increase by 48 per cent. Currently, fossil fuels provide 80 per cent of the world’s energy needs. However, the increasingly diminishing supply of fossil fuels combined with their damaging effects on the environment has generated a lot of interest in sustainable biofuels. This will facilitate the shift to a bioeconomy that must be carbon neutral. Biofuels are obtained from biomass like wood and straw, released by direct combustion of dry matter and converted into a gaseous and liquid fuel. In the ensuing decades, biofuels are anticipated to play a significant role in the transition to green energy and sustainable development. Due to their contribution to energy independence, urban and rural development, improvement of the ecological footprint, and decrease in carbon emissions, biofuels offer many appealing qualities. Despite technological advancements, the sustainability aspects of biofuel production methods are of inherent importance. In this review, we have discussed the significance of biofuel, the energy demand and supply statistics and how biofuels are the upcoming fuels playing a very important role in uplifting the global bioeconomy. but on the other aspect, it has been observed through various reports that the Carbon footprint of biofuel is also going to be a severe challenge in the coming days. Thus, before framing the policy on biofuel, it is necessary to look after all possible alternates to reduce the carbon footprint because unless the carbon emission remains the same issue, then the use of biofuel for global change may effect the bioeconomy with negative implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the rise of global population, pollution, and the limitation of natural resources, sustainability is now becoming a fundamental requirement of industries. Sustainable processes support all the dimensions of ecological, social, and economic parameters. Industry 4.0 concept originated from the German industry, and the main aspect is the use of advanced technology for efficient production. Industry 4.0 comprises technologies such as digital technology, machine learning, robotics, Internet of Things, and cyber-physical systems etc. Industry 4.0 is capable to transform the traditional manufacturing units into smart factories. The biotechnology industry uses the principles of molecular biology, genetic engineering, and fermentation technology etc to produce a variety of products. Similar to the industrial revolution, the biotechnology industry also underwent a similar revolution. Biotechnology industry uses technologies like recombinant DNA technologies, metabolic engineering, and fermentation technologies. Biotechnological processes have certain limitations, like instability of biological catalysts, complex biological systems, and difficulties in upstream and downstream processes. Biotechnological processes are environment friendly and are considered, creating less harm to nature as compared to chemical industrial processes. In this article authors have discussed the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in the production of environmentally sustainable biotechnology products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transfer of technology (ToT) developed in research institutes to industry has been one of the most discussed areas in the recent past. ToT helps in accelerated commercialisation for rapid industrial growth and generates revenue for the institutes by monetising research outcomes. The role of TTOs in the process of developing, protecting intellectual property and disseminating technologies through licensing to spinouts or established companies has generated special interest. TTOs are academic or commercial entities that facilitate the management of intellectual property rights and ToT by bridging the gap between research and industrial needs. They provide support for collaboration and mediate relationships between different innovation stakeholders, namely academia and industry. The present article highlights the role and importance of TTOs in the Indian context with a backdrop of the ecosystem of developed countries. It also suggests the need for having TTO at individual research organisation for better outreach and academiaindustry connects. The study suggests a need for having a larger network of professional TTOs, harmonised policy for managing IP and technology and a robust tech-transfer system which will help all the stakeholders leading to creation of a large number of start-ups, job-creations and, overall, in building the robust innovation and tech-transfer ecosystem for industrial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its numerous benefits to sustainability, product quality, and consumer health, the use of bio-enzymes in food systems has grown in significance. The importance of these enzymes in the creation of sustainable food is highlighted in this abstract. By increasing the bioavailability of vital nutrients and lowering the amount of anti-nutrients, bio-enzymes serve a critical role in boosting the nutritional value of food. By displacing artificial additives and preservatives, they also assist in the production of products with cleaner labels. Reduced food waste, increased shelf life, and consistency and flavour of food items are all made possible by bio-enzymes. Additionally, their eco-friendly sourcing and sustainable production methods meet the rising demand for food production that is environmentally conscious. The significance of bio-enzymes is growing in an era of increased sustainability goals, consumer awareness and environmental implications. The review presents studies on the utility of bio enzymes in food production and processing and in improving food quality, nutritional value, and safety and its role in the environmental impact and exploration of the latest technological developments and innovations in the food industry along with the identification of literature gaps and areas where research is scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The steering and operative aspects and components of bioeconomy in different countries that may have a determining impact on the development of the regions and on the kinds of technologies and industries coming up in the short, medium and long terms have been discussed. The flavour of bioeconomy directions and their drivers as conceived in different regions have been touched upon in monetary terms over the future years, based on available data and information. The emphasis for future development in the biotech sectors for pushing up bioeconomy is different in different regions. The stress on mastering biotechnological capabilities is also dissimilar. The developments in bioeconomy plans and programmes in the European Union, UK, USA, China, India, Japan, Brazil, ASEAN countries, South Korea and Russia have been profiled. Australian plans and programmes in synthetic biology have been included. Harnessing bioeconomy is anticipated to enable more recycling of wastes and promotion of environmental sustainability. Advancement of bioeconomy is anticipated to elevate the health, longevity and living standards of people. Contributions to global GDP are anticipated to be substantial from bioeconomy activities; the horizons of more effective newer biotechnologies are appearing fast in certain bioeconomy countries. Advancement in wealth creation by developing products involving the manipulation of genes, cell lines, and natural life forms has strong societal acceptance issues. The elements of ethics and social acceptance issues, including rights to choose and legal provisions, need to be worked upon through united global forums on a precautionary principle for an undisputed sound resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is argued by some scholars that China can contribute to global bioethics in terms of new ideas and principles and construct its own bioethics theory. The Chinese idea of multi-faceted inclusivity, ‘Jian Rong Bing Bao’ is a potential one for this. It embodies inclusivity and humility and can facilitate open communication and engagement. In this brief article it is argued that ‘Jian Rong Bing Bao’ can be one such idea that can be taken forward. Based on equal respect and mutual dialogue the relevance of this idea can be developed without any claims of superiority. Further it can help in conceptualizing fairer bioeconomy globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent advances in CRISPR-Cas technology have shown great potential in tackling age-related diseases and pathologies. However, older people from disadvantaged groups are less likely to have access to this technology compared to those from the more advantaged background. In particular, research shows that older people from certain minority groups may have concerns about participating in CRISPR-Cas-related research due to mistrust of this technology. This may lead to the underrepresentation of certain minority groups in the research, hence affecting the effectiveness of the CRISPR-Cas-related treatment. CRISPR-Cas may also have limited applications for the poor and those who live in less developed regions where this technology is either too expensive or not available. We urge governments to address the issue of equitable access to CRISPR-Cas technology by involving underrepresented groups in research, improving the ethical diversity in genomics databases, and reducing financial barriers to accessing the technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increased rate of data collection, there are growing problems with how to efficiently and economically store that data. DNA data storage is an option that seemed untenable until recent improvements in the ability to read, write and store data in synthetic DNA molecules. There is growing interest as to how the international access and benefit-sharing (ABS) regime created under the United Nations' Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its associated Nagoya Protocol will apply to synthetic biology, but the discussions have so far only dealt with artificially modified genetic resources that have a natural precursor from the environment. This is the first exploration as to whether ABS policies can be applied, or are likely to be applied, to purely synthetic DNA molecules that have been synthesised with the sole purpose of storing non-biological data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a technology Synthetic Biology is hardly two decades old. It is considered as an application of engineering to biology to produce parts, modules and networks and also novel organisms. Whether it is an incremental advancement over genetic engineering or a new paradigm is a matter of debate. Although there is no consensus on a definition for synthetic biology, the key features are universally acknowledged and adopted. In terms of science thus there is a flexibility in defining and (de)limiting synthetic biology. But for policy and regulation we need a robust definition and best case scenarios and boundary condition so that these can be used and applied globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]