By Wole Balogun
S. A Media to VC
A Professor of Biotechnology of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu, has emerged the new President of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN). According to her, BSN is an umbrella Society for scientists in the life sciences interested in /or working in the area of modern Biotechnology which has in-vitro DNA manipulation at its core.
She explained further that Biotechnology is important for food security, quality health care and a safe environment.
Prof. Uzochukwu who was also recently appointed as the Director of Gender Studies’ Directorate of the University by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Abayomi Fasina, for her sterling contribution to students’ welfare and well-being, added that the Society is involved in Biotechnology advocacy, its safety, innovations, enterprises and services.
In a chat with the University media team, Prof. Uzochukwu unveiled her plan to improve on quality researches in Biotechnology by ensuring that funds are massively mobilized to sponsor such research efforts.
The erudite academic gave insightful lecture on the benefits of the profession to humanity, saying : “ Biotechnology innovations, enterprises and services include genetically modified foods in which crops are protected from pests and diseases that wipe out farmers’ harvests.
“Biotech products also include recombinant drugs such as insulin, interferon, vaccines such as the COVID vaccines and gene therapy.
“Laboratory- cultured meat, egg and milk technology , otherwise known as cellular agriculture, are new additions to the kitty.
“There are also diagnostics and forensics based on nucleic acid analysis and manipulation. Top among the novel diagnostic services are those for rapid detection of sickle cell anaemia even in fetuses, cancer in family lines, and various viral diseases in the healthy or the sick.
“Paternity testing and crime detection top the list for services that would otherwise be near impossible without resort to nucleic acid analysis”. She explained.
While disclosing that FUOYE has great facilities for teaching Biotechnology, she said: “ Our University is one of those with an active Biotechnology Centre which aims to train and retrain otherwise competent scientists, in in-vitro DNA manipulation techniques in order to contribute more to National development through food security, quality health care, and a safe and sustainable environment.
“ My plans for the Society are to : Exploit our large Diaspora membership with a view to increasing the financial base of the Society to enable it embark on basic and ground-breaking projects for the uplifting of BSN and the Nigerian community as a whole. We intend to concentrate on human capacity building for the development of a critical mass of scientists that will take our country out of hunger, with healthier people and a safer environment, she pledged.
