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Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol. 27, No. 4, October-December, 2009, pp. 387 Book Review Biosecurity S Jayachandran Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry-605014, India Correspondence Address:Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry-605014, India, sr_jayachandran@yahoo.com Code Number: mb09115 Editors: P. K. Shetty, Ajay Parida, M. S. Swaminathan Year: 2008 Publishers: National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore- 560 012 & M S Swaminathan Research Foundation 3 rd Cross Street, Institutional Area, Taramani, Chennai- 600 113 The book on 'Biosecurity' edited by P. K Shetty, Ajay Parida and M. S Swaminathan is a compendium of articles ranging from biosecurity of food, health, agriculture and environment in India. Various authors have given the broad regulations pertaining to different aspects of biosecurity. Most of the authors have given the rules, laws and acts governing its implementation. Such detailed descriptions seem to be superfluous especially when Google search is handy and easy. Poor quality of presentation with rhetoric on statistical data disappoints the reader. Case studies highlighting the present day scenario could have been included to drive home the conflicting views with clarity. Chapters written by most of the authors are superficial, lacking conviction, depth of information and knowledge. With regard to biosecurity of health, for example, the presentation by two of the authors is incomplete and devoid of practical utility. The rapid spread of avian influenza and H1N1 virus threatening the health care delivery system and economy of the nation is a classical example drawing parallel to some of the worst pandemics the world has witnessed. None of the contributors seem to have fully succeeded in their efforts to project the need and importance of biosecurity in food, health, agriculture etc. Conspicuous by its omission are case studies in each of the defined areas where biosecurity is threatened and the possible imaginative ways to counter it. On agriculture and food production most of the authors emphasise the use of organic farming, vermi composting and bio remediation for obvious reasons. How to harness the natural resources for maximum output per unit area is the need of the hour. In the present scenario, community level participation, as envisaged by the Father of our nation, is one such proposition none of the contributors seem to have thought about for achieving sustainable agriculture. Overall, no doubt, the book on 'Biosecurity' contains a wealth of information- like a ready reckoner- to understand the Laws and Acts enacted by the Government of India, but, most of the contributors have failed in their attempts to convince the reader on the need for biosecurity in India and the consequences thereon if policy makers and the people as well fail themselves. Copyright 2009 - Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology |
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