Biotech Updates

Workshop on Socio-Cultural Consideration, Biosafety, Biotechnology and Decision-making in Indonesia

July 1, 2011

The Workshop on 'Socio-Cultural Consideration, Biosafety, Biotechnolocy and Decision-Making in Indonesia" was recently concluded in Jakarta in June 2011. The workshop was aimed to build common understanding about assessment of socio-economic considerations (SEC) and providing options for ensuring a science-based and predictable approach to decision-making.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Agus Pakpahan, chairman of Biosafety Commission of Genetically Engineered Product expressed his appreciation in holding the workshop and highlighted the active role of Indonesia in international affairs. He said that Indonesia has laws, government regulations and organizational laws to process and inspect entry and utilization of GMO products.

Dr. Bahagiawati discussed the current status of biotechnology research and cost of compliance with biosafety regulation in Indonesia, while Dr. Jose Falck-Zepeda discussed a comparative analysis of the assessment of socio-economic considerations and decision making in Brazil, Argentina, China, India, USA and the EU as well as considerations and options for regulatory design.

The workshop which was attended by some 50 participants was organized by the Program for Biosafety Systems and Indonesia Commission of Genetically Engineered Product.

For information on biotechnology in Indonesia, contact Dewi Suryani at dewisuryani@biotrop.org.