Bio-Asia-2008, the annual event to promote biotechnology and bioscience, got underway in Hyderabad with vice-president Hami Ansari inaugurating the 3-day event. Inaugurating the 5th edition of the event, the vice-president gave a clarion call to the scientist community in the world to use "powerful tools of biotechnology to help covert the country's diverse biological resources to useful products".

Ansari conferred this year's 'Genome Valley Excellence Award' on Nobel Laureate Sir Martin J Evan, who later spoke at length on "Embryonic Stem Cells." He also dedicated Biotechnology Incubation centre, set up at a cost of Rs 30 crore in a joint venture with Andhra Pradesh government, Union government and the Indian Institute of Technology (IICT). He laid the foundation stone for the Centre for Stem Cell Sciences being established by the Centre for Liver Research and Diagnostics with the support of the Andhra Pradesh government with an investment of Rs 150 crore.

The vice-president, in his inaugural address, pointed out that "Biotechnology represents the new wave of technology that could be more transformative in its impact than Information Technology. Its impact is more immediate and humane as it seeks to find solutions to the problems of human suffering and human want. Furthermore, biotechnology is more inclusive in its impact than the information technology as its beneficiaries include poor needing health interventions and the like".

India, he said, had set for herself a national objective of building a knowledge society, an inclusive society, a humane society. The most daunting task for your leaders is the human development of our people. The sub-continent occupied only 2.4 per cent of the total global surface area but has 7.6 per cent of total mamma species, 11.7 per cent of fish and 6 per cent total flowering plants that were present in the world, he said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy said his government's commitment to promote biotechnology in the State had reflected in organising BioAsia every year. The government has been promoting some prestigious institutions with the support of the Union government. The government was promoting Biotechnology to "wipe out poverty" from the State. He would also take special interest in stem cell research. The government would promote basic sciences among the youth from early age by including in the curriculum.

Minister for Major Industries J Geeta Reddy spoke on the government's achievements in promoting biotechnology.

Australian High Commissioner to India John McCarthy said, Australia was keen in working hand-in-hand with India to promote science. Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad and BioAsia chairman Prof. Seyed E Hasnain also spoke on the occasion.

Delegates from the United Kingdom, Spain, USA, Iran, Germany, Australia and Pakistan attended the event. As many as 20 renowned scientists will deliver lectures during the 3-day event.