Experts discuss risks to biological diversity

EMINENT SCIENTISTS and research scholars from across the country discussed the transgenic crops and medicines that have raised concerns about side-effects on human health and the environment, including risks to biological diversity.

EMINENT SCIENTISTS and research scholars from across the country discussed the transgenic crops and medicines that have raised concerns about side-effects on human health and the environment, including risks to biological diversity.

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The scientists made recommendations for biosafety on the concluding day of the ‘Young Scientists Biosafety and Biodiversity Workshop’ organised by the parasitology laboratory of Allahabad University’s Department of Zoology here on Thursday.

Dr Manickavasagam from Tamil Nadu illustrated that biosafety was prevention of large-scale loss of biological integrity, focusing both on ecology and human health. Dr GD Khedkar from Dr BA Marathwada University spoke about the imminent danger from the use of antibiotics in shrimp and prawn farming to aquatic biodiversity and its impact on human health. He said resistance to antibiotics that may develop from their indiscriminate use could result in flaring up of uncontrolled multiplication of pathogens.

Dr Khedkar said frequent dissemination of information could contribute to pathogens. Dr Khedkar said frequent dissemination of information could contribute to a decreased use of antibiotics without affecting the level of shrimp production. The emerging biosafety concerns were highlighted in the presentations by young scientists vying for the workshop gold medal.