PROJECTS

The Republic of Kazakhstan has its own National Biotechnology Center. However, the Center can not fully utilize its significant scientific potential because of constantly strained budgets. The Center’s Senior Researcher, Mr. Bakhytzhan Anapiyaev explains: “Our Institute of plants’ physiology, genetics and bioengineering working under the auspices of the National Biotechnology Center has produced unique inventions, however we can not implement them in the Republic because of the lack of funds allocated in the state budget”.

Currently Doctor Anapiyaev is working on the project developing a constant wheat line highly resistant to draughts and diseases, producing high yields of quality wheat. However, “as a result of the constant lack of funds we have to do a lot ourselves, particularly, to pay combine operators for gathering sample experiment crops”.
Dr. Anapiyaev suggests that in 2000 his Institute’s annual budget amounted to 20 million tenge (135,5 thousand USD), while in the United States, for example, Iowa State University’s annual budget exceeds 2 billion USD. “Many of my colleagues successfully work abroad. If the government continues to pay no attention to our science soon we’ll have no qualified staff left”, stresses Dr. Anapiyaev.

What is the general state of biotechnology development in Kazakhstan, and what is the level of genetically modified organisms development?

In early 1980s Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Institute and Kazakh State University’s Physiology Chair implemented the first genetically modified organisms development projects in Kazakhstan. At that time biotechnology research projects received adequate financing and projects were implemented jointly with Russian specialists. A special Council coordinated these research programs. However, after the break-up of the Soviet Union a lot of projects were discontinued as a result of limited funding and continuous downsizing, which, of course, affected the quality of research.
Many capable scientists launched their own commercial enterprises leaving scientific research to a few truly dedicated specialists. There is no special biotechnology scientific council in Kazakhstan and there are only two Doctors of sciences in biotechnology – myself (Dr. Anapiyaev) and Professor Karbaev. Currently in Kazakhstan Molecular Biology Institute and our Institute conduct most of the research related to genetically modified organisms.

In your Institute do you have any unique biotechnological inventions?

We have created unique cell systems which can be used for cell selection and genetic transformation. In Kazakhstan we have a very well developed school of plants chromosome engineering.
Also, for the first time in Kazakhstan Plants Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology Chair started research projects related to gaploide wheat growing technologies. These projects have produced positive results. Using developed methodologies researchers have created high potential di-gaploide lines highly resistant to adverse external factors. We hope that sufficient funding will allow to develop new types of wheat capable of ensuring effective resistance to adverse factors.

Does your Institute conduct research of genetically modified organisms for medical purposes?

Our Institute has conducted research at the National Biotechnology Center. We created microorganism cells capable of synthesizing hormones, interferon. If we have sufficient funds available we can continue development of these research projects based on our strong potential with the support of our highly-qualified specialists.

In Kazakhstan does general public have access to information on genetically modified products?

There are no restrictions. If any important developments take place, all data will be publicly available, except for patent data. We are trying to distribute our information through the media. Unfortunately, journalists are not particularly willing to communicate with us. If journalists and scientists are interested, we shall be glad to share our information.

Are any field tests being conducted in Kazakhstan?

No field tests are conducted in Kazakhstan because we do not have appropriate legislative acts governing transportation and utilization of such organisms. All projects are implemented exclusively in laboratories.

Are genetically modified medicines used in Kazakhstan?

As far as I know, patients administer insulin produced using biomethodologies. Currently it is considered that artificial insulin is inferior to the natural one based on a number of parameters. In general, this aspect has significant potential for development because artificial insulin is much cheaper than natural one, however it is relatively reliable since it is produced by Western companies.

How widely spread are genetically modified organisms in Kazakhstan? If they are widely spread, what is the public perception of genetically modified organisms?

Despite the fact that in Kazakhstan there are no legislative acts related to genetically modified organisms, in Kazakhstan sales of genetically modified products are significant. Unfortunately, people know nothing about these types of items.
As for biotechnologies and overall safety of food products, in early 1990s people were extremely concerned about pesticides. Later when agricultural production declined and agricultural budgets shrunk almost no funds were left for administering pesticides and pesticides-related debates cooled down.
I do not believe that currently genetically modified products represent a hot topic for the vast majority of Kazakhstani consumers. Public awareness level is quite low. Possibly those with higher than middle class incomes give particular consideration to the quality of food, whereas most of the people are concerned about having enough food to eat.

On September 13, 2002 in Astana at a Mazhilis (lower chamber of Parliament) session a group of parliamentary deputies initiated a draft Law on quality and safety of food products. Mazhilis accepted the draft bill for review and created a task force charged with reviewing the bill.

The bill proposed by Mazhilis deputies Myrzageldy Kemel and Tatyana Kvyatkovskaya contains a number of clauses providing for stricter requirements related to the quality and safety of food products, packaging, marking, production control and testing. Also, the bill provides for mechanisms ensuring product compliance with legal requirements.

Task force reviewing the bill also includes Mazhilis deputy Mr. Kushkaliev, and senators Ms. Kaupova and Mr. Aman.

The new bill calls for a ban on imports of food intermediary and final products not registered in Kazakhstan in accordance with the established procedures, as well as a ban on imports of food products lacking accompanying documents confirming quality and safety of the products.

On November 16, 1999 the Government of Kazakhstan approved the Protocol on uniform application of technical, medical, pharmaceutical, sanitary, veterinary, phytosanitary and ecological standards, norms, rules and requirements related to goods shipped and produced on the territory of the Customs Union member states.

Moreover, a Statute was developed to regulate shipments of goods subject to sanitary control on the territory of Customs Union member states.

After reviewing the draft Law on quality and safety of food products the Government of Kazakhstan provided negative comments siting that adoption and implementation of the Law would increase fiscal burden on the country’s budget. Despite the fact that the Law had been widely announced and discussed the Government’s comments took parliamentary deputies by surprise.

A group of Mazhilis and Senate deputies spent more than a year preparing the draft Law on quality and safety of food products. Mazhilis deputies disagreed with the Government’s comments on the draft Law. Mazhilis deputy Myrzageldy Kemel considers that Government’s comments “might reflect lobbying attempts undertaken by the people interested in importing low quality goods. Before giving such a bold response the Government should have thought about civil and professional ethics. Why was not it possible to invite parliamentary deputies who were involved into development of the draft?”

Mazhilis has adopted a decree requiring the Government to provide further justification of its negative comments.

<< BACK ::