BIOTECHNOLOGY is indeed an area which promises to better our quality of life.
In essence, biotechnology is a technology that has developed from the advances made in biology or the life sciences.
The importance of life sciences is lucid. It is interesting to note that the very first revelation from God to the Prophet of Islam contains information on embryology. For Muslims, this signifies the significance of biology in Islam.
While many would think that biotechnology is relatively new, in actual effect it has been around for thousands of years. The process of fermentation is perhaps one of the earliest forms of biotechnology.
By right, Muslims should be aware of the importance of biotechnology in enabling man to carry out his duties as the vicegerent of God.
The 21st century has been dubbed the biotechnology century. This connotes that this century promises to increase the quality of life through creating food and health security. At the same time, biotechnology also has the potential to bring about high returns, thus boosting the economy.
It could be said that biotechnology is the “D” part in research and de-velopment (R&D) of biology. Biology involves research (“R”), which leads to the development (“D”) in biotechnology.
The findings from this R&D process involving biology and biotechnology could be commercialised to spur a nation’s economy. In essence, in this biotechnology century, it is the catalyst to stimulate a knowledgebased economy (K-economy).
As such, we would need knowledge-based workers (K-workers). Therefore, human resource development must be planned properly and effectively. As it is, more universities in the country offer courses in biotechnologyrelated fields such as microbiology, genetic engineering, biopharmacy and many others.
The latter is important because there is an urgent need to create biotechnology entrepreneurs, or biopreneurs. It has been said that there are many R&D projects being conducted in biotechnology. Unfortunately, not many of these projects are being commercialised.
If commercialisation of biotechnological R&D is not done, then biotechnology would not be able to contribute towards the strengthening of the K-economy. Several problems have been identified with regard to this matter.
First, most scientists and technologists involved in R&D do not have the know-how in business and entrepreneurship. It would be difficult to expect them to commercialise research findings from biotechnology.
Therefore, they would have to get the co-operation from entrepreneurs who have the business instinct. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs are unwilling to venture into something that does not promise profitable returns in the short term.
This is the crux of the second problem. Biotechnology is not like information and communication technology (ICT). In the area of ICT, solutions could be provided within several months, which could immediately be commercialised.
However, biotechnology is an area that takes years to develop, what more commercialise. To design a drug, for instance, is something that cannot be done overnight.
If this is possible, then surely problems such as the avian flu that is plaguing some parts of the world right now could be solved without much fuss.
Furthermore, products from biotechnological R&D must be tested to ensure that they are safe and do not have harmful side effects. This again will take many years.
That is why biotechnological developments in the area of geneticallymodified organisms (GMOs) including food have been mired in controversy. People need to be convinced that the products are safe, and to do this would require time.
Time is money. So it is understandable why entrepreneurs would be hesitant to venture into biotechnology because the returns from their ventures may not be immediate.
Therefore, it is imperative that a new breed of entrepreneurs be created – the biopreneurs. They are people who are involved directly with R&D in biotechnology, and are able to appreciate the technical aspects of the field while at the same time having the business instinct.
Biopreneurs could be regarded as the new breed of entrepreneurs for the 21st century. They are the ones who will be the prime movers of the K-economy.
Nonetheless, biopreneurs must also be able to tap into the strengths and niches of Malaysia in the area of biotechnology. As reminded by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the country must not try to be a “jack of all trades and master of none”.
Two areas have been identified as key strengths that Malaysia already possesses, namely agriculture biotechnology and natural product discovery. Malaysia has long been successful in agricultural biotechnology, as we have been able to develop our rubber and palm oil plantations far better than the plants’ countries of origin.
Yet, as pointed out by Professor Dr Abdul Latif Ibrahim of Universiti Industri Selangor, much R&D could still be done on these plants. They have potential that is yet to be discovered. Therefore, by applying biotechnology, the agriculture sector could be jumpstarted once again as the main contributor to our economy.
As for the second niche area, Malaysia is known for its rich biodiversity. Hence, it is only appropriate that biopreneurs venture into natural product discovery where these products could be commercialised.
By focusing on these two “established” areas which the country already possesses, biopreneurs could minimise the risk in the commercialisation and industrialisation of biotechnological products.
Biopreneurs are also important from the perspective of Islam. As we all know, biotechnology is an area which has great impact on Muslims, particularly on matters pertaining to food and medicine. For Muslims, food consumed and medicine prescribed must be halal (permissible) and tayyib (safe and of good quality).
Therefore, the onus is on Muslim biopreneurs to develop and commercialise food and medicine (including hormones and drugs) that are both halal and tayyib. If this could be done, the confidence level of the Muslim population on biotechnological products would increase.
There are already biopreneurs in Malaysia endeavouring to commercialise halal and tayyib biotechnological products. However, their number is still small and therefore, needs to be increased.
If this is achieved, then biopreneurs would contribute significantly to the development and commercialisation of biotechnology, which would result in the spurring of the country’s k-economy.
Malaysia would thus be able to compete in this global biotechnological age.