SABP Webinar Series: Regulatory Framework and Guidelines for Biotechnology Research

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Background

Starting in the mid-1990s, universities and research institutes in Bangladesh have been developing genetically engineered (GE) crops to ensure the country’s food security by combating climate change, pests, and diseases. To encourage the safe use of modern biotechnology for humans, animals, and the environment, the Government of Bangladesh has developed a biosafety regime, taking into consideration global conventions and protocols. This biosafety system requires all GE crops to go through safety assessments prior to reaching farmers and consumers. Since 2005, the South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP) has been working with the Government of Bangladesh to develop and implement biosafety regulations, manuals, and assessment guidelines. Capacity development is a crucial part of this biosafety regime, as it improves compliance by present and future researchers in the field of biotechnology.

About the Webinar Series

Under the guidance of Dr. Aparna Islam, SABP is organizing a series of webinars in collaboration with various universities in Bangladesh, including those outside of Dhaka, which aims to facilitate knowledge on biosafety among researchers and students of biotechnology, biochemistry and molecular biology, botany, and genetic engineering. In June 2020, two webinars were organized jointly with Sher-E-Bangla Agriculture University and Jahangirnagar University.

In continuation of this effort, SABP arranged its third webinar on July 9, 2020. The webinar was attended by students, early career researchers, and faculty members from the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dhaka University. At the event, Prof. Dr. Zeba Islam Seraj, Chairperson, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dhaka University was the Chair. The keynote speech was given by Dr. Aparna Islam, Country Manager, South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP). The webinar was facilitated by Mohammad Umer Sharif Shohan, Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dhaka University.

Read about this event in the SABP Newsletter