Biotechnology Policy and Regulatory Framework

Dr. Andrew Roberts, Dr. Rakha Hari Sarker, and Dr. Aparna Islam delivered keynote speeches on February 16, 2022 at “Biotechnology Policy and Regulatory Framework,” a virtual media engagement event organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) at the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh.

Dr. Roberts spoke about the status of GE crop regulation and production, covering the context and history, current global status, and common myths and misconceptions about GE crop regulation and production, as well as what all this means for Bangladesh. Dr. Rakha Hari Sarker’s presentation was on the role of biotechnology policy for boosting the agricultural sector, specifically the current status and plans to promote biotech innovation in Bangladesh. Dr. Aparna Islam discussed the importance of biosafety regulations for agricultural development, covering the policy gaps and challenges to improving climate smart agricultural productivity and biodiversity in the country. The event was moderated by Dr. Md. Tofazzal Islam, Professor, Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), BSMRAU, and Rebecca Robinson, Acting Office Director for Economic Growth, USAID Bangladesh, gave the Inaugural Speech