SABP Webinar Series: Biosafety Guidelines in Biotechnology Research & Development

Video

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, five webinars have been organized jointly with Sher-E-Bangla Agriculture University, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), and the National Institute of Biotechnology.

The sixth webinar in the series, Biosafety Guidelines in Biotechnology Research & Development took place on September 22, 2020. Organized jointly with the Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), the online event facilitated a discussion about the biosafety regime in Bangladesh and the procedures that need to be followed when doing research. This webinar aims to help students, early career researchers, and faculty members from various departments better understand the regulatory system and improve their effectiveness at implementing biosafety in their academic and professional careers. Mr. Sheikh Rashel Ahmed, Chairman, Department of Plant and Environmental Biotechnology chaired the event, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mehedi Hasan Khan, Dean, Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering served as Chief Guest, and Mrs. Rubaiat Nazneen Akhand, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering moderated the discussion. Dr. Aparna Islam, SABP, delivered the keynote presentation.

Read about this event in the SABP Newsletter