Prevention of misuse of biotechnology

The prevention of misuse of biotechnology is stressed in many countries because it may cause a lot of mischief when given a free play in the hands of transnational companies engaged in ruthless persuit of profits. One of these concerns is the rapid pace of genetic erosion. This will lead to a situation where the base genetic material is available to only a few multinational companies in their gene banks. However, this genetic erosion has to be checked by saving the genetic diversity in its own environment, but not gene bank/germplasm bank, by the involvement of people.

We are proceeding from 'green revolution' to 'gene revolution'. Many new and transgenic plants and animals are being produced, and seeds, embryos, sperms are preserved. A day may come when farmers would have to depend on genetically engineered seeds. Still, there is doubt whether such seeds will suit for sustainable agricultural practice free of chemical poison.

Moreover, the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) should be carefully researched and monitored to ensure that the hazards to users and environment will not occur. In addition, concerted action should be undertaken to ensure that necessary consideration is given to the ethical and social effects of such studies. People should be known about the impacts of GMOs and genetically engineered products.
Such efforts are already being made in some of the countries. The German Green party has called for a 5-year moratorium on commercial release of GMOs. The UK genetics forum is complaining for partial mentally irresponsible applications of biotechnology. In the USA, a number of groups are strongly opposing the deliberate release of GMOs. In India, genes complain has been carrying out a public complain against the patenting of life forms and the misuse of biotechnology. However, such efforts need to be strengthened to check the misuses of biotechnology.