In early eighties when genetic engineering began to take roots and when some groundbreaking methods evolved, scientists started looking upon their future with hope of manipulating genes to the advantage of mankind. Biotechnology as subject is the outcome of this thought. Teaching of biotechnology became a matter of pride and respectability for the departments of Biology, as biochemistry and molecular biology did not evoke as much enthusiasm as they used to a couple of decades ago, when every teacher wanted to pick a topic on this subject. These teachers who had little background in analytical and physical biochemistry and had never done even simple experiments on isolation and purification, and characterization of biomlecules began to romanticize on biotechnology as the introduction of this subject would fetch money and allure students. A rosy picture was painted everywhere about biotechnology, and it was projected that by learning this course they would become great inventors and would discover new drugs and do miracles in the world. Students turned up in pretty good numbers. But the teachers that taught them knew very little about the subject as far as the practical side is concerned. They bought some books from the market and started doling out notes from them. When it came to doing experiments students were made to sit in the class room and see a documentary film to satisfy them. Very few types of equipment are there in these departments to perform experiments on. There no one to guide students and spur them to do innovative experiments. There is a dearth of set of chemicals and instruments required to carry out an experiment to its logical conclusion. Teachers are selected on ad hoc basis. Biotechnology department just manages to drag on with ill-maintained outmoded equipments and inexperienced teachers.

But this is not the story of Biotechnology alone. In almost all the vocational courses, the situation is more or less the same. Students however get the marks by the diligence of the coordinators.

Now come to the general subjects. Most teachers have failed to enthuse their students into the studying the subjects as they are preoccupied with matters that pertain to the construction of their houses, and studies of their children and spouses whom they have to fetch and so on. Therefore, working in the department becomes a dull and uninteresting exercise, and teaching a boring job. However, when it comes to getting promotions and increments they do fill the requirements by showing pale data.

In the end, it must be said that without an ethics no subject will flourish.

You go to science congress; you will find most of the scientists loaded with outmoded and copied data and presenting them with flourish, and getting a pat from their friends who constitute a caucus. The idea is to show to the grant giving authorities a semblance of sincerity towards scientific endeavor. Those that have become senior in this trade and run the show and get membership/fellowship through reciprocal recommendations and thus enjoy the benefit of grants and foreign travel. See the manner in which fellows are elected in Indian academy of sciences and the bodies like that whether located in Allahabad, New Delhi, or Bangalore.

This is a sad but a realistic commentary on Indian science of which Biotechnology is a baby born recently. With this genetic endowment what more can you expect, Dr. A. P. Verma, to which you have also been a part.