C O V E R S T O R Y
As the Modi government inches towards completion of its second term in 2024 , the current monsoon session also assumed much significance for the bioscience policy-making
By BioVoice News Editorial Team
The monsoon session of the Indian parliament witnessed fiery speeches from both the government and opposition benches in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively . At the same time , it also witnessed a few productive sessions in the midst of the chaos and disruptions . Among the many major bills that were tabled in the parliament , quite a few were pertaining to the bioscience sector .
The bills that were passed and have now become the law include The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill , 2023 ; The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill , 2023 ; The Biological Diversity ( Amendment ) Bill , 2022 ; National Dental Commission Bill , 2023 ; Coastal
Aquaculture Authority ( Amendment ) Bill , 2023 ; and The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill .
At the same time , there are a number of bills that are yet to see the light of the day . Among such pending bills , the key ones are DNA Technology ( Use and Application ) Regulation Bill , 2019 and The Drugs , Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill , 2022 . The DNA Technology Bill also provides for the establishment of a ‘ DNA Regulatory Board ’ to supervise DNA data banks and DNA laboratories , advise state and central governments on all issues related to setting up such laboratories or data banks , and grant accreditation to DNA labs . The standing committee ’ s recommendations had included making the proposed statutory board independent , protecting the privacy of
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BioVoiceNews | August 2023