Thirteen
nations are participating in the South Asia Biosafety Conference (SABC) at
Hyderabad, to share international experience amongst scientists and regulators
in biotechnology, environmental risk assessment and biosafety regulation in
South Asia. The three-day annual event will cover wide-ranging topics being
covered in biotechnology R&D and biosafety.
In
her opening address, Additional Secretary, MoEF&CC and Chairperson, Genetic
Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), Dr. Amita Prasad, said that India has a
robust regulatory framework for ensuring biosafety of all types of genetically
engineered organisms under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. She pointed
out that these regulations are supported by a series of guidelines to deal with
various aspects. Dr. Prasad emphasized that capacity-building
and sharing of experience has to be a continuous activity to ensure effective
implementation of the biosafety regulations. Such activities also help in increasing
awareness and creating an environment of understanding among various
stakeholders. Appreciating the research efforts in biotechnology, she commended
the research institutions for their R&D initiativestowards developing newer
products relevant to the national needs.
In
his keynote address, Vice President, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences
(NAAS), Dr. Anupam Verma, emphasized that the modern world is facing enormous
challenges to achieve food security. In the backdrop of increasing demand for
food, dwindling natural resources and increasing biotic and abiotic stresses as
a result of intensification of agriculture and climate change, the world has no
option, but to accelerate utilization of the available and emerging
technologies for improving world food production. He stressed that agriculture
biotechnology is a powerful tool for addressing the emerging challenges, as already
demonstrated by the fast adoption of such technologies in dealing with biotic
and abiotic stresses. He advocated better coordination among various ministries
including agriculture, health and environment.
More
than two hundred participants from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia,
Iran, Japan, Kenya, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tajikistan, and USA
are participating in the Conference. The inaugural session also witnessed the
release of Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) guidance documents, recently
adopted by the Indian regulatory authorities to strengthen the ERA process. This
is the fourth Conference, with the first three Conferences being held in New
Delhi, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. SABC is organized on an annual basis in the
South Asian region by ILSI Research Foundation, and Biotech Consortium India
Limited (BCIL) under the South Asia Biosafety Programme.
The
International society of biosafety research (ISBR) has supported a poster
session and a lighting round for young researchers with awards for best posters
in biosafety. 37 posters by participants from various countries have been put
up for display.
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