SABP Webinar Series: GM Crops – Food Security and Biosafety in Bangladesh Perspectives

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

The eighth webinar in the series, GM Crops – Food Security and Biosafety in Bangladesh Perspectives, took place on November 14, 2020. Organized jointly with the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, the online event facilitated a discussion about the biosafety regulatory framework in Bangladesh and the procedures that need to be followed when doing research. This webinar’s aim was 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.

Prof. Dr. Zennat Ferdousi, Chairman and Professor, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi chaired the event, with Prof. Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Dean, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Rajshahi serving as Chief Guest and Prof. Dr. Md. Abu Reza, Professor, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi delivering the Welcome Address and moderating the discussion session.

The Keynote Lecture was presented by Prof. Dr. Rakha Hari Sarker, Chairman and Professor, Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, and Prof. Dr. Aparna Islam, Country Manager, South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP) gave the Keynote Speech.