Some of the world's renowned scientists yesterday began their discussions of biotechnology and its current and future challenges and opportunities.
Organised by the Emirates Centre for Scientific Studies and Research (ECSSR), the conference is the first of its kind in the region to discuss controversial issues, such as cloning and controlling natural biological process, in depth, and what future technology has for mankind.
The opening session of ECSSR's eighth annual conference, "Bio-technology and Future of Society: Challenges and Opportunities", was also attended by Saeed Mohammed Al Raqabani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, among several top government officials and representatives of financial and education institutes.
The first session of the three-day conference was chaired by Dr Abdul Rahman Al Sharhan, Dean of Sciences College of the UAE University.
In his welcome speech, Dr Jamal Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Centre, said to bring the latest scientific knowledge to the Gulf region, the ECSSR is proud to have assembled once again an outstanding panel of international experts to share their insights and extensive experience in the field of biotechnology.
Referring to the rapid development in the science of genes, Dr Al Suwaidi said: "The ability to identify and recombine genes is making the gene pool available, for the first time, as a primary raw resource for future economic activity, including the development of pharmaceuticals, the production of industrial materials and the production of intangible goods, such as specialised knowledge of medical cures."
He added that applications of biotechnology in the health sector, agriculture, civil security and other fields will required a thorough reassessment of the way we live and see the world.
In his keynote address, Dr Ali Ghanem Al Arai, Deputy Director for Community Service and Head of the Conferences Department at the centre, said the conference assumes greater significance now, when recent claims of the first human cloning have sparked much controversy and heated debates around the world.
"If verified scientifically, these cloning developments will mark an important stage in human history," Dr Al Arai said.
About the timing and importance of the conference, he said though there are difficult times, with the war on terrorism gaining momentum and the Middle East region facing the prospect of great turmoil stemming from the situation in Iraq, it is necessary to see the broader picture in order to appreciate the particular relevance of this event.
Dr Al Arai explained: "In these times of uncertainty, it is absolutely necessary to sustain our faith in progress and our belief in a more positive future. In this context, our gathering undoubtedly gains a unique, symbolic significance.
"For the people of this region to move beyond these patterns of crisis and instability, there should be a new paradigm of progress, founded on individual education and social advancement as envisaged and initiated by the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan."
He added that it was imperative to have a shared vision of progress, on the collective as well as the individual levels.
Dr Al Arai said the centre is well aware of its great responsibility to initiate intellectual discussion on issues likely to reshape the future of mankind, and to chart action plans that benefit the society and the region.
He continued: "Advances in the life sciences over the past few years, and human cloning in particular, fall into such a category. Inherently controversial, they force us to attain fuller awareness of ourselves, of our values and beliefs, and reveal clearer directions for the future.
Dr Al Arai, the keynote speaker of the conference, said that critical reflection in the Gulf region ought not to be limited to crisis in management of the oil market as there is a lot more that this region has to offer, "and we need to commit ourselves to developing all our resources and talents, exerting our minds to make full use of emerging opportunities in new fields and thus meeting the challenges of future".
Referring to the future biotechnolgocial development, he said the possible scenarios include the correcting of genetic disorders before birth, the growing of tissues and organs, and even the extension of the human life span.
Elaborating on the other aspects of the technology, Dr Al Arai said that genetic fingerprinting can facilitate the work of law enforcement institutions and prevent conviction of innocent people.
However, he said that despite of all these promising prospects, the supposed 'inevitability' of the biotechnology revolution needs to be analysed and subjected to close scrutiny.
"It is unacceptable to allow the biotechnology revolution to merely 'happen' without understanding its full implications. There must be full awareness and discussion of all its aspects in order to enable individuals, organisations, societies, and ultimately, humankind, to make informed and prudent decisions," he maintained.
Gulf News 2003
