Speakers at a roundtable yesterday demanded to set up an independent National Commission on Biotechnology to identify research and commercial areas relevant to the country's needs as well as to find out existing manpower strength.

The demand came during discussion on 'Biotechnology in Development:

World Scenario and Bangladesh' held at the Jatiya (national) Press Club in the morning.

Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (GNOBB) and Young Biotechnologists of Bangladesh (YoungBB) jointly organized the discussion where noted scientists, social scientists, NGO officials and media personalities took part.

They said the proposed National Commission would prioritize research as well as identify research network within the country and establish international links and also procure funding for research.

"By using the benefits of biotechnology, the developed countries have developed their all sectors, including agriculture, environment and medicine, but unfortunately we didn't due to the lack of our sufficient knowledge about it," Dr Ahmed Shamsul Islam, a former DU teacher said.

He was critical of the Science and Technology Ministry saying it could not make people aware about the benefits of biotechnology. Those manning the ministry have little or no knowledge about the benefits of biotechnology.

Dr Ahmed said Dhaka is known to all by a city of wastes. But these wastes could be well changed into resource like gas and electricity. "We know it but did not take initiative. That's our problem. So everyone will have to raise voice jointly to accrue benefits out of the wastes.

Describing the importance of the biotechnology, eminent social scientist Dr Mahbub Hossain said biotechnology is much more powerful than information technology, particularly in the third world.