Jakarta, INTI – Indonesia is becoming increasingly serious about developing genomic technology as a key strategy to face future health and economic challenges. This was expressed by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, during the second anniversary of the Biomedical and Genome Science Initiative (BGSi) in Jakarta, Thursday (September 12, 2024). The event, themed Future Directions in Genomics: Setting the Agenda for the Next Decade, aims to map out new directions for genomic development in Indonesia.
In the Q&A session, Luhut explained how the Covid-19 pandemic was the starting point for this idea. “Together with Health Minister Budi G. Sadikin, we began thinking about how genomic technology could play a crucial role in detecting future disease potentials,” he said. BGSi has now become a national program focused on developing health technology based on genomics, with one of its main goals being the creation of more precise medical treatments for the public.
Expanding Genomic Applications to Other Sectors
In addition to healthcare, Luhut revealed that genomic technology holds wide potential for other sectors, including agriculture. According to him, this technology is not limited to disease detection but can also be applied to agricultural commodities like potatoes. “We can even design the size and taste of potatoes according to market needs. This is an example of how genomics can be integrated into the agriculture sector,” Luhut explained.
Indonesia has also sent its human capital to study directly in Beijing, where Indonesian students are participating in master's and doctoral programs in this field. Additionally, senior researchers from China are joining the collaboration to strengthen research and innovation in Indonesia.
Focus on Strengthening Infrastructure
Luhut emphasized that one of the key factors for the success of genomic-based agricultural transformation in Indonesia is the provision of adequate infrastructure. Infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water is essential to ensuring that production costs remain manageable. “The government has already prepared good infrastructure to support this sector. With proper infrastructure, we can reduce costs and increase productivity,” he explained.
Furthermore, Luhut highlighted that the special economic zones in Bali have provided opportunities for researchers to innovate in the fields of genomics and health. “In Bali, we already have two special economic zones that allow research in these fields,” he added.
SatuDNA Launch: Government’s Concrete Commitment
On this occasion, Luhut, together with Health Minister Budi G. Sadikin, also launched the SatuDNA program. This program aims to expand access to genomic technology in Indonesia, while accelerating research in health and agriculture. The launch was witnessed by other top officials, including Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Lucia Rizka Andalusia and Chief Digital Transformation Officer Setiaji.
“SatuDNA is our initial step to show the world that Indonesia is ready to face future challenges with genomic technology. We believe that through this, we can accelerate economic growth and improve the quality of life for our people,” Luhut remarked.
Optimism for Economic Growth
In closing, Luhut expressed his optimism for Indonesia’s future economic growth. “Last year, our economy grew by over 5 percent, and with innovations like this, I’m confident we can maintain that positive trend,” he said.
With the support of genomic technology and continuously improving infrastructure, Luhut believes Indonesia will become a major player in the global health and agriculture industries.
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