FAO expert consultation: Review of biosafety regulatory systems

Since the first publications of the recombinant DNA techniques, governments have applied a two-track policy towards modern biotechnology that can be summarized as ‘maximizing benefits and minimizing risks’. Maximizing benefits, such as for improved food and nutritional security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, decreased pressure on natural resources through circularity while increasing the biomass, is typically done through research strategies and investments, while actions for minimizing risks are usually taken through designing and implementing national biosafety systems and regulations.

Objectives of the FAO expert consultation are to:

• Raise awareness on the review of national biosafety regulations;
• Contribute to the current discussions on genome editing taking into account the maximizing of benefits and minimizing risks approach;
• Discuss compatibility with international agreements and discuss the draft FAO Compatibility guide;
• Share experiences and the practices in different countries in the region.