The Executive Director of M S Swaminathan Research Foundation Dr Ajaya Parida has called for setting up of an autonomous National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority to regulate research and clearance of genetically modified plants and animal products. Participating in a special session of biotechnology experts at the ongoing Indian Science Congress at Thiruvananthapuram he said that drought resistant vareity of rice developed by the Foundation is under field trial.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports that participating in a special plenary session on biotechnology and its scope in different fields including agriculture and health care, experts opined that biotechnology can be the panacea for many issues confronted by us. Dr Ajay Parida said that at least ten varieties of transgeneic crops have been developed by different Indian laboratories and they are not released to farmers for want of official clearance. Given the present trend of climate change, agricultural pattern are bound to change. Biotechnology experts pointed out that India today imports fifty per cent of pulses requirements from countries like Australia. Experts stressed the need for research institutions and the cvil soceity to work hand in hand to take the benefits of biotechnology to the comman man.