Outcomes of the Fifth International Conference on Bioscience and Biotechnology, 2024 (ICBB-2024): Planetary Health—A Local Discourse

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thank you very much for the opportunity to review this manuscript The interesting insights into the conference show that the theme was well connected to the venue and placed local aspects in a wider context. The reference to indigenous knowledge seems to me to be very purposeful.
I wonder if there were also differentiated, critical statements at the conference about the effects of (bio)technological research and applications that could be mentioned?
In view of the current extent of the ecological crises, the wording also seems to me to trivialise the problems facing humanity in some respects and to be inconsistent. For example, right from the start there is talk of climate change. A change is initially value-neutral and can be positive or negative. But humanity is in a manifest ecological crisis and is heading for a catastrophe. In my opinion, a clearer and more consistent formulation of this should be found in the article, especially since, for example, in 4.1 there is indeed talk of ecosystem destruction and disasters, and in line 719 of a planetary health crisis.

Author Response

Reviewer 1:
Thank you very much for the opportunity to review this manuscript. The interesting insights into the conference show that the theme was well connected to the venue and placed local aspects in a wider context. The reference to indigenous knowledge seems to me to be very purposeful.
I wonder if there were also differentiated, critical statements at the conference about the effects of (bio)technological research and applications that could be mentioned?

Ans: The conference was more focused on the effect of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution in air and water to human health. Definitely, the organizers will take this topic (effect of biotechnological research and application) for the next episode of the conference in near future. Please check our comment on your question in line number 353.

In view of the current extent of the ecological crises, the wording also seems to me to trivialise the problems facing humanity in some respects and to be inconsistent. For example, right from the start there is talk of climate change. A change is initially value-neutral and can be positive or negative. But humanity is in a manifest ecological crisis and is heading for a catastrophe. In my opinion, a clearer and more consistent formulation of this should be found in the article, especially since, for example, in 4.1 there is indeed talk of ecosystem destruction and disasters, and in line 719 of a planetary health crisis.

Ans: Yes, we tried to address it in 2.3 Workshop III Climate Change at School Level - Young Scientists, Young Changemakers (Line number: 242)

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Author,

First of all, your effort to bring this valuable study to the literature is very useful both in terms of your conference becoming known all over the world and setting an example.

The outcomes of the 5th International Bioscience and Biotechnology Conference are presented in a very explanatory and concise manner in this study. The study provides detailed and useful information about the conference, which was understood to be productive. In the study designed as a review, the purpose of the conference, participants, process, and the sections such as workshops, panels, focus groups are presented to the readers with a benefit and loss analysis.

I believe that touching upon the following points in the study again will strengthen the study:
I think that information about the procedure and importance of this scientific study should be written as the last paragraph in the Introduction section of the study. If the purpose of the study is added to this paragraph together with its sub-objectives and the method of the study is mentioned, the study will become more understandable. Even if it is a review study, method information should be included.

In addition;

48. Graphical Abstract should be reflected in the appropriate place and in an appropriate manner according to the rules of scientific report writing.
70. Textbox 1. It should be presented in accordance with the rules of scientific writing.

Regards

Author Response

Reviewer 2:

Dear Author,
First of all, your effort to bring this valuable study to the literature is very useful both in terms of your conference becoming known all over the world and setting an example.

The outcomes of the 5th International Bioscience and Biotechnology Conference are presented in a very explanatory and concise manner in this study. The study provides detailed and useful information about the conference, which was understood to be productive. In the study designed as a review, the purpose of the conference, participants, process, and the sections such as workshops, panels, focus groups are presented to the readers with a benefit and loss analysis.

I believe that touching upon the following points in the study again will strengthen the study:
I think that information about the procedure and importance of this scientific study should be written as the last paragraph in the Introduction section of the study. If the purpose of the study is added to this paragraph together with its sub-objectives and the method of the study is mentioned, the study will become more understandable. Even if it is a review study, method information should be included.

Ans: Incorporated a new paragraph at the end of the introduction of the report (from line 173 onwards)

In addition;
48. Graphical Abstract should be reflected in the appropriate place and in an appropriate manner according to the rules of scientific report writing.
70. Textbox 1. It should be presented in accordance with the rules of scientific writing.
Ans: We have reformatted with Figure 1 (Line 62) and Textbox 1 (Line 99). 

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

see attachment

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Reviewer 3 

This is a fine conference report, detailing the themaƟc focuses and outcomes from each of the conference workshops and special sessions. It impresses the reviewer with highly successful conference results with the sustained focus on planetary health and local pracƟces. The claimed
local and global impacts in this submission are well supported by the authors’ summaries of the conference’s overall fulfilled goals, public engagements, and the highpoints of the individual workshops. The reviewer recommends the publicaƟon of this submission on the condiƟon of a
minor revision. This recommendaƟon is based on his specializaƟon in Himalayan indigenous ecological knowledge.

 

This submission claims “a deeper understanding of how indigenous knowledge can play a crucial role in environmental sustainability.” However, throughout the manuscript (pp.1, 4, 7, 9,10 and 11), there are no specific menƟons of parƟcular indigenous groups in Nepal given the fact that this Himalayan naƟon has diverse ethnolinguisƟc peoples who hold their tradiƟonal ecological knowledges. The authors are recommended to add more details to the relevant parts of this submission. For example: · Biodiversity and human ethnolinguisƟc diversity oŌen occur in direct raƟo throughout the world. 

Ans: Incorporated in the line 122 onwards with reference.

 

On pages 3 (the “IntroducƟon” secƟon) where Nepal is regarded as “a biodiversity hotspot, the reviewer suggests that the authors add one or two sentences highlighƟng Nepal also as a human diversity hotspot;· 

Ans: Incorporated in the line 84 onwards with reference.

 

On page 4 where local fermented food is generically menƟoned, the authors may consider naming a couple of indigenous groups that hold the food fermentaƟon tradiƟons, describing briefly how these tradiƟons have “deep-rooted connecƟon with land and resources” (p.4:95-96), and informing the reader of what planetary challenges they’re facing and what (potenƟal) contribuƟons they can make to the planetary health; · 

Ans: Incorporated in the line 127 onwards with reference.

 

On page 9, the response to the quesƟon — “Do you think there is a role for Indigenous Knowledge in academic curricula?” — is unjusƟfiably brief as the conference gave indigenous knowledge a center stage. How is indigenous knowledge being integrated into educaƟon? How valuable is it in solving local environmental problems? It would be great if the authors can add a few more sentences here and let the reader recognize what has been accomplished so far and/or what are aimed to be accomplished.

• The reviewer has the same impression from the response to the quesƟon — “Do you think there is a role for Indigenous Knowledge in academic curricula?” on page 9. It’ll be very help if one or two sentences can be added concerning how the applicaƟon of “indigenous pracƟces can bridge silos and enhance scienƟfic approaches.”Similar suggesƟons also apply to where indigenous knowledge/pracƟces occur in the manuscript.

Ans: A new paragraph is incorporated to answer the above question (Line 385).