Expert Decries Low Level of Research in Biotechnology

Low level of research amongst Nigerian scientists has been identified as a major factor militating against development of biotechnology in the country.
Dashe Elizabeth Sahmicit, scientific officer, industrial chemicals and minerals department of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), stated this in paper titled: Application of Biotechnology in Raw Materials Development in Nigeria, she presented at a seminar organized by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) held in Abuja. She said for the country to really go far in biotechnology development, which she said can boost Nigeria economy greatly, scientists have to increase their level of research as regards to bringing out the new innovations in modern trends.
Sahmicit said modern biotechnology has made significant contribution to health and agricultural sectors noting that, in health, the development of several drugs, various pharmaceuticals, and vaccines using recombinant deoxy-Ribo nucleic acid (DNA) technology has given rise to multi-billion dollar industries.
According to her, “modern biotechnology research in Nigeria is largely in the area of cell and tissue culture and agro-biotechnology bias. This is not surprising as the Nigerian industry and the developing world generally depend mainly on agriculture. Biotechnology has immense potential to enhance agricultural productivity. There is, however, evidence of isolated cases of research in more advanced biotechnology such as recombinant DNA or genetic engineering, bioprocess technologies, bioinformatics and cell fashion in molecular diagnostics.
She noted that despite the enormous potentials in agricultural production, Nigeria’s economic growth and development are at a slow pace, and urge for a developed ability of the agricultural system to produce at a level that can ensure food security and also meet the industrial demand for raw materials.  
The scientific officer urged RMRDC to employ biotechnological tools in its agro-boosting programme to enhance local content in the industry and to promote research in the production of enzymes, which have wide application in the industry, but not produced presently in the country.
The expert further pointed out that the level of biotechnology research in majority of developing countries is fairly low, largely due to lack of infrastructure, skilled man power and lack of commitment by National Governments, adding that Nigeria can do better if it improves on its research work. 
Biotechnology according to experts is the industrial processes based on biological system involving naturally occurring micro-organisms, micro-organisms that has been modified by genetic engineering or isolated cells of plants or animals and the genetic manipulation of cells to produce new strains of plants or animals.