Genome editing can address food insecurity, says KU VC
The SDGs include reduction in poverty and food insecurity. PHOTO: FILE
Pakistan, being one of the world's most populous nations, is currently encountering a significant challenge related to food and nutritional insecurity, said University of Karachi Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mehmood Iraqi.
He was addressing the concluding ceremony of the International Practical Training Course and Symposium on Applied Genomics and Genome Editing for Food Security at the LEJ National Science Information Center.
Organized by the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, in collaboration with Sindh Innovation Research and Education Network (SIREN), the event featured speakers such as Dr. Johar Ali, Vice Chancellor of the Usman Institute of Technology (UIT), Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, Director of the ICCBS, University of Karachi, Dr. Shahid Mansoor, Incharge of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Office, ICCBS, and industry representatives Liaquat Malik and Saleem Akhtar. Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, SFDL Incharge director, concluded the ceremony with a vote of thanks.
Iraqi underscored the pivotal role that genome editing can play in addressing the looming threat of food insecurity in Pakistan. He highlighted that approximately 70 per cent of the country's population is economically involved in the agricultural sector, yet Pakistan continues to rely on food imports, placing a substantial burden on the national economy.
Dr Shahid Mansoor, the course coordinator highlighted exciting developments in genomics, genome editing, and genetic engineering that offer opportunities for rapid genetic improvement in crops, livestock, and industrial microbes.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2024.