The Verdict

In the recent poll, readers were generally interviewed on their views on the current state of biotechnology in the country. On the satisfactory level of the local biotechnology industry, readers were overwhelmingly unsatisfied with the current state with 37% implying the current state is unsatisfactory, while 53% acknowledged that it could be improved.

Similarly, when queried on whether efforts and schemes to promote the local industry are adequate, readers also generally opined that current state of matter is insufficient, with 32% implying the current state is unsatisfactory, and a further 46% stating that it could be improved.

On the main challenges that the local industry is facing, readers were generally split, with a majority understanding that there is a lack of funding available (40%), lack of human capital (20%), policies in place inhibiting (22%) and lack of incentives (11%).

Readers were also split on their opinions on which areas should local companies be focusing on with agriculture (30%), Industrial biotechnology (27%), Pharmaceuticals (14%), Medical biotechnology (15%), Herbal and nutraceuticals (9%) and Bioinformatics (5%).


Local Biotechnology Industries in Malaysia

1. Do you think the local biotechnology industry is at the satisfactory state? Yes - 5 votes (9 %) No - 22 votes (38%) Could be improved - 31 votes (53%) Don't know - 0 votes (0%) Total votes - 59

2. Do you think enough efforts and schemes are in place to promote local biotech industry? Yes - 7 votes (15 %) No - 16 votes (34%) Could be improved - 23 votes (49%) Don't know - 1 votes (2%) Total votes - 50

3. What is the main challenge for local biotech companies to succeed? Funding - 18 votes (41 %) Human capital- 9 votes (20%) Policies - 10 votes (23%) Lack of incentives - 5 votes (11%) Others - 2 votes (5%) Total votes - 45

4. In what area do you think local companies should focus on? Agriculture - 20 votes (30 %) Pharmaceuticals - 9 votes (14%) Industrial - 18 votes (27%) Herbal and nutraceuticals - 6 votes (9%) Bioinformatics - 3 votes (5%) Medical - 10 votes (15%) Total votes - 66

In the recent poll, readers were generally interviewed on their views on the current state of biotechnology in the country. On the satisfactory level of the local biotechnology industry, readers were overwhelmingly unsatisfied with the current state with 37% implying the current state is unsatisfactory, while 53% acknowledged that it could be improved. Similarly, when queried on whether efforts and schemes to promote the local industry are adequate, readers also generally opined that current state of matter is insufficient, with 32% implying the current state is unsatisfactory, and a further 46% stating that it could be improved. On the main challenges that the local industry is facing, readers were generally split, with a majority understanding that there is a lack of funding available (40%), lack of human capital (20%), policies in place inhibiting (22%) and lack of incentives (11%). Readers were also split on their opinions on which areas should local companies be focusing on with agriculture (30%), Industrial biotechnology (27%), Pharmaceuticals (14%), Medical biotechnology (15%), Herbal and nutraceuticals (9%) and Bioinformatics (5%).