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Biotechnology is defined as a package of techniques that employ organisms, or parts of organisms to make or modify products, improve plants and animals, or to develop micro organisms for specific applications. These techniques usually aim at enhancing production and use of goods and services for the benefit of mankind.
The success of biotechnology has been accentuated through the application of bio-informatics, i.e. a combination of Information Technology (IT) and biological sciences, especially genetics, genomics, biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology.
Biotechnology is currently, making the most impacts in the areas of agriculture, health care, industries and environment. However, there are several ethical and social issues of importance to be considered in the national biotechnology development.
Advances in genomics have led to modifications of plants and animals with desirable useful traits for food and industrial applications. Food insufficiency caused mainly by growth in human population and to the biotechnology-based revolution in livestock husbandry and plant agriculture.
Investment in biotechnology can lead to greater improvement in human health and welfare through new drugs, development of new diagnostics, therapeutics and applications in preventive medicine,
Mission Statement
Nigeria should as a matter of priority initiate appropriate steps to explore the use of Biotechnology for the benefit of Nigerians and thus ensure that Nigeria becomes one of the international leaders in Biotechnology.
This will be pursued through the provision of an enabling environment that responds to the needs of the biotech industry, the R &D communities, as well as the relevant national and international concerns.

Policy Overview
The national policy on biotechnology underscores the need to accord any high-tech programme a priority attention by government. As such, this policy is designed to address such issues as:

The indigenous acquisition and development of easy and affordable requisite biotechnology in Nigeria.
Indigenous R & D to generate copious innovations in biotechnology as well as for the sustenance and growth of the biotech industry.
The funding of this vital technology and the corresponding payoffs.
The national capacity building for sustainability of biotechnology activities in Nigeria.
Collaboration with the private sector and relevant national and international agencies to advance the course of this industry and
The provisions for effective and efficient implementation of the policy

Besides, a workable action plan for the short, medium and long-term time frames, is needed for Nigeria to keep abreast of the trends in biotechnology.

Ensure that Nigeria becomes self-reliant in the development and application of biotechnology-based products and services.
Ensure that Nigerians have access to and benefit from safe, ethical and profitable uses of biotechnology-based products and services;
Ensure that biotechnology is profitably applied to government’s stewardship such as assurance of high quality health services, food security, environmental protection and safety.
Promote sustenance in the development and application of acceptable and profitable technologies through strategic investments in biotech R & D to support innovation and economic development.
Ensure global competitiveness and the export of products of the Nigerian biotechnology industry;
Establish and maintain profitable national and international collaborative relationships between government and all other stakeholders and interest group on matters relating to the prospects of the biotechnology industry.
Develop suitable mechanisms and activities to support the emergence of biotechnology enterprises for the commercialization of biotechnology products; so as to ensure a sustainable food security, job and wealth creation, efficient and cheap healthcare delivery as well as safe environment.
Develop appropriate legislations, compatible with international regulations, so as to ensure biosafety, in line with social and ethical considerations and to protect intellectual, industrial property and farmers rights
Maintain sustainable exploitation of bioresources for our food & agriculture, health care delivery and industrial utilization.
Ensure sustainable mechanism for adequate funding of biotechnology activities through national and international funding agencies.
Evolve a centralized coordination of the development of biotechnology to prevent unnecessary duplication and wastages as well as ensure attainment of national objectives.

Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Section 6 Section 7

Background