Strengthening India’s Biosecurity Framework

Context

India is being urged to strengthen its biosecurity system because experts believe biological threats are increasing. New biotechnologies, the growing abilities of non‑state actors, and weaknesses in India’s current systems make the country more vulnerable.

What is Biosecurity?

1. Biosecurity means protecting people, animals, and plants from the intentional misuse of biological agents, toxins, or technologies. It includes:
   1. Keeping labs with dangerous pathogens secure
   2. Stopping deliberate outbreaks
   3. Protecting health across humans, animals, and plants
2. Biosecurity is different from biosafety. Biosafety prevents accidental leaks, but strong biosafety helps support biosecurity.

How Global Biosecurity Evolved?

1. The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) of 1975 was the first global treaty banning biological weapons and requiring countries to destroy existing stockpiles.
2. Although bioweapon use has reduced, new technologies and global tensions have increased risks again.

Why India Needs Stronger Biosecurity?

1. Geographic and Ecological Risks: India’s large borders, rich biodiversity, and dense population make it easy for natural or engineered outbreaks to spread quickly.
2. Dependence on Agriculture: Since agriculture supports millions of people, any biological attack on crops or livestock can damage food security and the economy.
3. Threat from Non‑State Actors: A recent case involving the alleged preparation of Ricin toxin shows that terror groups may be exploring biological weapons.
4. Fast‑Growing Biotechnology: Modern biotech tools allow easy manipulation of biological systems. While useful, they can also be misused to create engineered threats.

India’s Current Biosecurity System

1. Department of Biotechnology: Oversees lab safety and biotech research.
2. National Centre for Disease Control: Handles disease surveillance and public health response.
3. Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying: Tracks livestock diseases.
4. Plant Quarantine Organisation: Protects crops and regulates agricultural imports.
5. Key Laws and Policies:
   1. Environment Protection Act (1986): Regulates hazardous microorganisms and GMOs.
   2. WMD Act (2005): Criminalises biological weapons.
   3. Biosafety Rules (1989) & rDNA Guidelines (2017): Govern lab safety and genetic research.
   4. NDMA Guidelines: Cover biological disaster management.
6. International Role: India is part of the BWC and the Australia Group, which controls export of dual‑use technologies.

Gaps in India’s Biosecurity System

1. India lacks a single, unified national biosecurity framework. The system is scattered across many agencies, causing weak coordination and slow response.
2. India ranks 66th on the Global Health Security Index, showing declining ability to respond to threats.
3. Major Weaknesses:
   1. Old laws that don’t match modern biotech developments
   2. Poor coordination between human, animal, and environmental health sectors
   3. Not enough high‑containment labs
   4. Weak surveillance for engineered biological threats

Global Best Practices India Can Learn From

1. United States: National Biodefense Strategy integrates health, defence, and biotech.
2. US DNA Screening Guidelines (2024): Gene synthesis companies must screen DNA orders.
3. European Union: One Health‑based Health Security Framework.
4. China: Biosecurity Law treats biotech and genetic data as national security assets.
5. Australia: Biosecurity Act covers synthetic biology.
6. United Kingdom: Focuses on surveillance and rapid response.

These examples show the value of unified oversight, modern laws, and early detection systems.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

India faces growing biological risks due to new technologies, ecological vulnerabilities, and non‑state actors. Strengthening laws, surveillance, coordination, and global cooperation is essential to build a modern, unified biosecurity system capable of preventing and responding to future threats.