Paradigm Shift In Medicine

Biotechnology will revolutionise the way 
we treat various diseases, reports Biplab Das 

Biotechnology will revolutionise medical treatments in future, changing the way we analyse diseases. This is the view that was expressed by Dr. Chitra Mondal of the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) at a seminar organised by the Science Association of Bengal (SAB) recently. The seminar, 'Science, Technology and Development,' marked the 25th anniversary of the Association and was held at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS). 

Mondal focused on gene therapy and drug targeting in her lecture. "Of the different drugs and vaccines developed by biotechnology, 170 have got approval and 113 have already been launched in the market," she informed the audience. According to her, biotechnologists are now busy developing drugs against diseases like cancer, haemophilia, diabetes and pneumococcal infections.

She briefly explained the mechanism of gene therapy and drug targeting. She also discussed the advantages of genetically modified crops. 

S. P. Gan Chowdhury, director, West Bengal Renewable Energy Development, highlighted the benefits of alternative energy sources. "Solar energy has brought electricity to 33,000 households of West Bengal," he said. He claimed that alternative energy was also environment-friendly, as it did not produce carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. He stressed on judicious use of natural resources to maintain the ecological balance. Dr. Tara Shankar Bandyopadhyay, director, Institute of Wetland Management, discussed the advantages of rainwater harvesting. According to him, the technique would prevent excess use of groundwater. 

Rajashree Dasgupta from the School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur University, described how human migration accelerated deforestation in the Sunderbans. "In recent years 30,000 have migrated to the Sagar Island," she said. "This is destroying the mangroves and the flora and fauna of the area. The 1991 census recorded a 172 per cent increase in population in the islands since independence." 

Dr. Samaresh Goswami, director, Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, discussed the importance of non-governmental organisatons (NGOs) in preventing environmental damage. He said 30 years ago there were more than 500 NGOs, which played a vital role in creating awareness in common people. But the number was decreasing gradually, he lamented. Dr. S. Roy Chowdhury, secretary, SAB gave a brief account of the past and present activities of the organisation.