| The national training workshop
on the Practical Guidelines on GM Crops Assessment Related
to Biosafety Issues was held from 7-10 September 2004 at the
Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok. A total of 70 participants including
researchers and policy makers, attended the workshop.
Thailand has been involved in research and development of
genetically modified crops (GM crops) for a long time. The
crops under development are papaya and chili (disease resistance),
cotton (insect resistance) and orchid (new color). All of
these are under greenhouse containment. These genetically
modified crops cannot be released into the environment unless
they are proven scientifically safe or pose no possible harm
to the environment and human health. At least three national
guidelines have already been set including that of the National
Biosafety Framework which is supposed to guide the competent
authorities on how to properly regulate GMOs and also on how
to carry our risk assessments. These are necessary in order
to convey to the interested public the proper risk management
activities being carried out by the competent authorities
as to minimize possible risks.
The purpose of the workshop was to build the capacity of
the authorities, policy makers and researchers on how to assess
GM crops related to biosafety issues and to educate the public
on how GM crops are being handled.
The workshop provided the participants with relevant information
on the status of GMOs in Thailand and other countries. The
participants also learned about the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety, regulations and law to biosafety as well as IPR.
Moreover, the principles of risk communication and strategies
for risk communication were provided in the workshop. The
panel discussions on the future of GM crops were to assure
their safety to the environment and human health, how to effectively
manage IPR issues and the use of GM products in Thailand’s
food industry.
The training on risk assessment of GM crops used Mon 810
as the case study. This helped the participants to understand
how to assess GM crops based on scientific information and
experiments. The training on risk communication helped the
participants to effectively utilize the media for risk communication
and communicate benefit and potential risk of GM crops.
The participants also had an opportunity to visit the Plant
Genetic Engineering Unit (PGEU), Kasetsart University, KamphaengSaen
Campus in Nakorn Pathom Province. This gave them the great
opportunity of learning more about GM crops, visit the laboratory
and see the biosafety greenhouse and the GM contained papaya
trial.
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