CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Cuban Expert Advised to Exploit Biotechnology Fully

Tanzania, February 16, 2010. Tanzanians have the potential of getting economic gains in the field of biotechnology if prioritization of the types of researches conducted is implemented, it has been said.

“Tanzania has the potential to bridge the gap with the developed world. I have visited several research centres in the country and very impressed with what I saw, a little more seriousness is required though,” a Cuban visiting professor said.

Speaking at a public lecture in Dar es Salaam on the evolution of biotechnology industry on research, product development and commercialization, Prof. Manuel Limonta said that researchers needed to pick on tasks that were in line with national development goals.

Biotechnology is technology based on biology, agriculture, food science, and medicine - though modern use of the term usually refers to genetic engineering as well as cell and tissue culture technologies.

He cited that in Cuba, biotechnology begun being developed in 1981 with only six doctors but today there were over 40 organizations involved, 12,000 workers with over 7,000 scientists and engineers being engaged.

“Cuba, unlike other countries, isn’t endowed with many natural resources and tourist attractions and it is with this reason that the country had to develop the brains of its people,” he explained.

The professor said that in order for Tanzania to follow the footsteps of Cuba and achieve the goals it has then there was need to have local scientists and professionals being involved. He also said there was need for cooperation between government and researchers to work together.

He also emphasized the importance of a nation to have patents, saying they were vital in saving country ownership. Cuba has 230 patents in the biotechnology field while those in other countries total to 96 and there are over 1,800 patent applications pending.

“We should patent our innovations so that we can effectively bridge the gap with the developed world. There are many cases where they take our raw materials, process them and sell the goods back to us 100 times more,” he cautioned.

Prof Limonta is an international advisor on biotechnology and project management, head of biotechnology development and science advisor at the National Institute of Hematology and professor at the Medical University of Havana. (Cubaminrex- Embacuba Tanzania)

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