Prez's call to genetic scientists

Srivilliputtur, Tamil Nadu, Jan 5 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today called upon young researchers in genetic engineering and bio-technology to help facilitate societal transformation through their studies.

Inaugurating the international conference, 'ORIGENE,' at the Kalasalingam University at nearby Krishnankoil Village, he said gene science, which has been making rapid progress, offered great potential in accentuating the pace of social transformation.

Stating the concept of conventional gene has been fine-tuned, he said chemical synthesis of genes with novel properties had become a common factor with transfer of genes from one species to another also becoming possible. These advances have revolutionized the healthcare sector.

Listing out 11 thrust areas for further research, Dr Kalam called upon the researchers to engage in these fields. Developing crop varieties resistant to extreme climatic conditions, diseases and pests, modulating gene expressions to convert plants for producing useful products, developing high-yielding jatropha, making hill crops grow in plains and vice versa, developing microbial gene for improving soil health were some of the areas.

The conference, organised near Srivilliputtur housing the famed Andal Temple, brings together biotechnologists and mathematicians on a common platform.

UNI