FAISALABAD, March 7: University of Agriculture Vice-Chancellor Dr Riaz Husain Qureshi said on Friday shortage of biotechnologists was one of the major causes of country’s debacle in technological development.

Speaking at the concluding session of one-week course on modern techniques in biotechnology held at National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, he appreciated the institute’s role in overcoming the deficiency through its short training courses and MPhil and PhD programmes.

He urged the scientists to continue with their research work despite criticism on cloning and genetically modified crops at national and international level.

Mr Qureshi believed that biotechnology would soon leave Information Technology behind in the race. He underlined the need for induction of agriculturists in biotechnology, as this would bring conventional researchers and breeders in the stream of sophisticated technology.

NIBGE Director Dr Ahmad M Khalid, while delivering his talk, said socio-economic conditions of developing countries depend on the use and development of biotechnology.

“The NIBGE has initiated a series of training courses and workshops on various aspect of biotechnology” the director added. He also announced that a workshop on bioinformatics and DNA fingerprinting would be organized in March and April, respectively.

Briefing the participants on course, organizer Dr Fauzia said only biotechnology could bring about revolutionary changes in agriculture, health, energy and environment. “We must strive to acquire techniques as early as possible,” she urged.

During the course, NIBGE teachers and guest speakers, Dr Zabta Khan from COMSTECH and Dr Muhammad Afzal from Pakistan Science Foundation, delivered 14 lectures.