Biosecurity in India

Why is this in News?

• Renewed policy focus following expert commentary highlighting:
  • Gaps in India’s biosecurity preparedness.
  • Absence of a unified national biosecurity framework.
• Concerns amplified by:
  • Rapid advances in biotechnology.
  • Rising role of non-state actors.
  • India’s low response capacity score on the Global Health Security Index (GHSI) (Rank: 66).

Relevance

• GS II:
  • Governance, institutional coordination, national security architecture
• GS III:
  • Internal security, disaster management, science & technology
  • Health security, bioterrorism, dual-use technologies

What is Biosecurity?

• Biosecurity:
  • Set of practices, policies, and systems to prevent intentional misuse of:
    • Biological agents.
    • Toxins.
    • Biotechnology.
• Covers:
  • Laboratory security.
  • Surveillance and early detection.
  • Containment of deliberate outbreaks.
  • Protection of human, animal, and plant health.
• Biosecurity vs Biosafety:
  • Biosafety: Prevents accidental release of pathogens.
  • Biosecurity: Prevents deliberate misuse.
  • Strong biosafety protocols are a prerequisite for biosecurity.

Global Context: Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

• Adopted in 1975.
• First treaty to:
  • Prohibit development, production, stockpiling of biological weapons.
  • Mandate destruction of existing stockpiles.
• India:
  • A signatory to the BWC.
  • Participates in export-control regimes like the Australia Group.

Why Does India Need Robust Biosecurity?

Structural Vulnerabilities

• Geography:
  • Porous borders → cross-border bio-risks.
• Ecology:
  • Biodiversity-rich zones vulnerable to zoonotic spillovers.
• Demography:
  • High population density → rapid transmission potential.
• Economy:
  • Heavy dependence on agriculture and livestock.

Emerging Threat Landscape

• Non-state actors exploring biological tools:
  • Example: Alleged preparation of Ricin toxin for terror use.
• Rapid spread of new-age biotechnologies:
  • Gene editing.
  • Synthetic biology.
• Lower entry barriers:
  • Dual-use research increasingly accessible.

India’s Existing Biosecurity Architecture

Legal Framework

• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • Governs hazardous microorganisms and GMOs.
• Biosafety Rules, 1989
• 2017 Guidelines
  • Recombinant DNA research.
  • Biocontainment standards.
• WMD Act, 2005
  • Criminalises biological weapons and delivery systems.

Institutional Mechanisms

• Department of Biotechnology (DBT):
  • Research governance and lab safety.
• National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC):
  • Outbreak surveillance and response.
• Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying:
  • Livestock biosecurity, transboundary animal diseases.
• Plant Quarantine Organisation of India:
  • Agricultural import-export regulation.
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):
  • Guidelines on biological disaster management.

Key Gaps in India’s Biosecurity System

Fragmentation

• Multiple agencies with overlapping mandates.
• Lack of:
  • Central coordination.
  • Unified command during bio-emergencies.

Capability Deficits

• GHSI Ranking: 66
  • Detection score: Improved.
  • Response capacity: Declined.
• Indicates:
  • Surveillance without commensurate response readiness.
  • Inadequate surge capacity.

Governance Gaps

• No dedicated National Biosecurity Policy or Authority.
• Limited integration of:
  • Health.
  • Agriculture.
  • Defence.
  • Internal security.

Risks Ahead if Gaps Persist

• High-impact, low-probability events:
  • Bioterror attacks.
  • Engineered pandemics.
• Massive human cost:
  • Lives of billions potentially at risk.
• Economic consequences:
  • Food security shocks.
  • Supply-chain disruptions.
• Strategic vulnerability:
  • Biosecurity as a national security issue, not just public health.

Way Forward: Building a National Biosecurity Framework

Core Elements Needed

• Unified National Biosecurity Strategy:
  • Clear roles and responsibilities.
• Central Coordinating Authority:
  • Inter-ministerial integration.
• Capability Mapping:
  • Identify lab, surveillance, response gaps.
• Regulation of Dual-Use Research:
  • Ethical oversight.
• Capacity Building:
  • Skilled workforce.
  • Rapid response units.
• International Cooperation:
  • Intelligence-sharing.
  • Norm-setting on emerging biotechnologies.

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