Iranian President Elect Dr. Hassan Rouhani's Views on Biotechnology

During the campaign of Iranian Presidential general election, Iran Biotechnology Society asked the eight candidates - running for the 11^th presidential term - about their views and plans on issues related to biotechnology and genetic engineering. In his response Dr. Hasan Ruhani wrote: "biotechnology and genetic engineering play a key role in medicine, agriculture, environment and industry. In the developed and industrialized world, this technology has grabbed a great deal of attention for its ability to improve the quality of products". He added: "Iran has taken great strides in expanding this science especially during the second decade following the victory of the Islamic revolution", referring to the establishment of research institutes and infrastructures and Iran's achievements in stem cells and proteomics, the production of transgenic goats at the Royan Institute and the production of recombinant medications.

Dr. Ruhani further elaborated his plan by stating that "transgenic products are safer and contain less pesticide residues. They are also more favorable for the farmers, consumers and Iran's economy". He believes that Iran has some very good rules and regulations in this field which are waiting to be implemented. Dr. Ruhani who has served as the President of the Iran's Center for Strategic Research (CSR) has established the "new technologies Department" at CSR which is currently headed by Dr. Behzad Ghareyazie, the Executive Director of IRBIC.

The full statement by Dr. Ruhani is available at http://www.irbic.ir/.