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Workshop I: Introduction to Concepts of Biosafety and Biosafety in Research & Development

    July 14, 2023-July 15, 2023
    9:00 am - 2:00 pm
    BCDM Rajendrapur
    Gazipur, Bangladesh

The Agriculture & Food Systems Institute (AFSI), in partnership with the Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Bangladesh, under the auspices of the South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP), conducted a workshop series titled “Origins of Biosafety Internationally, the Relevant Policies and Regulations in Bangladesh, and the Necessary Regulatory Process During Each Phase of Biotechnology Research, Development, and Release.” The purpose of these training activities was to engage with experts at the Department of Environment in Bangladesh who are involved with the biosafety regulatory system. This program aimed to help them better understand their regulatory responsibility and how to best work with developers of GE organisms. Biosafety compliance while working with GE organisms was discussed throughout this series of workshops.

Held on July 14-15, 2023, this introductory workshop provided a platform for discussing the fundamentals of biosafety, with presentations on the history and context of biosafety, the development process for GE plants, regulatory responsibility, and biosafety obligations during GE plant development. Participants familiarized themselves with international obligations and standards for biosafety, as well as the guidelines, laws, and rules governing biosafety in Bangladesh.

Speakers

Andrew Roberts, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer Agriculture & Food Systems Institute (AFSI)
Rakha Hari Sarker, Ph.D.
Country Coordinator South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP)
Vibha Ahuja, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP)
Karen Hokanson, Ph.D.
Research Project Specialist University of Minnesota
Aparna Islam, Ph.D.
Professor Brac University

Agenda

Day 1 - July 14, 2023

9:00 am

Welcome and Participant Introductions

Dr. Andrew Roberts
Chief Executive Officer, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute

9:30 am

Overview of the Workshop and Planned Workshop Series

Prof. Dr. Rakha Hari Sarker
Country Coordinator, South Asia Biosafety Program

9:45 am

History and Context for Biosafety | Q&A

Dr. Andrew Roberts

10:30 am

Tea Break

11:00 am

The Development Process for Genetically Engineered Plants

Dr. Karen Hokanson (recorded)
Research Project Specialist, University of Minnesota

11:30 am

Discussion | Q&A

Dr. Vibha Ahuja
Chief General Manager, Biotechnology Consortium of India Ltd.
Senior Advisor, South Asia Biosafety Program

12:00 pm

Breakout Exercise: Regulatory Responsibility During GE Plant Development

Dr. Andrew Roberts

1:00 pm

Lunch

2:00 pm

Biosafety Obligations During GE Plant Research and Development | Q&A

Prof. Dr. Aparna Islam
Professor, Brac University
Fellow, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute

2:45 pm

Introduction to Problem Formulation and Principles of Risk Assessment | Q&A

Dr. Andrew F. Roberts

Tea Break

4:00 pm

Interactive Discussion: Relevant Protection Goals for Bangladesh

Dr. Andrew F. Roberts

5:00 pm

Close of Day 1

Day 2 - July 15, 2023

9:00 am

Recap of Day 1 | Holdover Q&A

Prof. Dr. Rakha Hari Sarker

9:30 am

International Obligations and Standards for Biosafety

Dr. Andrew F. Roberts

10:15 am

Interactive Breakout: International Obligations

Dr. Andrew F. Roberts

10:30 am

Tea Break

11:45 am

Introduction to the Bangladesh Biosafety Guidelines and the Biosafety Rules

Prof. Dr. Rakha Hari Sarker

12:15 pm

Other Relevant Laws, Rules, and Polices

Prof. Dr. Aparna Islam

12:45 pm

Lunch

1:45 pm

Close of Day 2

2:00 pm

Return to Dhaka

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