Media discovers nature through biotechnology

The Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC) organised a workshop for the media focusing on biodiversity and nature, which was attended by 20 representatives from the local broadcast and print media industry on 30th of June.

This 4th installment of MABIC’s Talking Point session, titled “Discovering Nature: Biotechnology as a tool”, organised in collaboration with Monash University Malaysia (MUM), was geared towards assisting the media in understanding the complex development in this area besides providing participants an insight into current issues on biotechnology – its uses and its impact on the environment.

MABIC’s Executive Director, Mr Kelvin Keh, commented on the role of media as a primary source of information for the layperson. He said that the media has had, and will continue to have, a great degree of influence on how matters are perceived by the general public.

“This is the challenge that you are facing. To draw a sound and factual picture of scientific developments as they take place, taking into account not only the scientific impact, but also the economic, social and environmental factors that are associated with such technologies. In the area of biotechnology, a hotly debated area of science in its own right, this has become even more critical”.

		The workshop also featured a talk from Dr Koshy Philip, Consultant Biotechnologist with Mineway (M) Sdn Bhd. Dr Philip presented on the current state of Malaysian biotechnology industry, sustainable harvesting of natural resources for commercial use, and the role of the industry in conservation and environmental preservation.

The laboratory sessions, led by Dr Khoo Kong Soo, a lecturer at MUM, provided an opportunity for participants to better understand the area of bioprospecting. A tour to Dr Khoo’s aquaria was followed up with exercises to extract organic compounds from a marine source - a sea weed called ‘sea grapes’. Subsequent analysis was done and participants were shown the various techniques of identifying useful compounds for possible medicinal use.

The session was rounded off with a Panel discussion moderated by Mr Keh. Panelists include Dr Mohd Omar (Senior Lecturer at MUM), Dr Sundari Ramakrishna (Director of Wetlands International), and Ms Saradambal Srinivasan (Scientific Officer with WWF). The speakers also sat in on the panel and contributed to a lively discussion onthe role of biotechnology in Malaysia.


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