Parliament has passed the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016 with the Rajya Sabha approving it yesterday. The bill seeks to establish a Regional Centre for Biotechnology, an institution of education, training and research, under the auspices of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the National Capital Region. It also confers upon it the status of an institution of national importance.<br/><br/>The Regional Centre is to disseminate knowledge by providing teaching and research facilities in biotechnology and related fields. Besides, it will help create a hub of biotechnology expertise and promote co-operation at the international level.<br/><br/>Speaking on the bill, Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said, biotechnology is a new and growing field with immense potential for societal benefit and economic transformation. The Minister said, it is a powerful tool that can revolutionise health care, agriculture, industrial processing and environmental sustainability.