SABP Webinar Series: Biosafety at Every Step of Plant Biotechnology Research

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, both to help them navigate the biosafety system as researchers, and to expand the pool of interested scientists that can serve as resources to help inform the biosafety process. Prior to this webinar, four webinars have been organized jointly with Sher-E-Bangla Agriculture University, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka University, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU).

The fifth webinar in the series, Biosafety at Every Step of Plant Biotechnology Research took place on August 26, 2020. Organized jointly with the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB) of Bangladesh, the online event facilitated discussion with scientists about biosafety requirements at various stages of plant biotechnology research, better equipping them to effectively implement biosafety while advancing this research field and harnessing its benefits. Dr. Md. Salimullah, Director General, NIB chaired the event, and Dr. Aparna Islam, SABP delivered the keynote speech. Participants included early career researchers, senior scientists, and group leaders of various biotechnology research divisions of NIB.

Read about this event in the SABP Newsletter