Workshop Tackles Policy Considerations for Gene Editing in Asia and Australia

Feeding the world can be done through the existing scientific innovations including gene editing, but achieving it depends on regulations. This is one of the main messages of the gene editing experts to over 60 participants of the Workshop on Policy Considerations for Gene Editing: The Asian and Australian Perspective held on August 23-25, 2022 at Sunway Clio Hotel, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

The workshop, organized by ISAAA Inc., BioTrust Global, Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC), Murdoch University, and the National Seed Association Malaysia, aimed to raise awareness among stakeholders to enable science-based participation in the development of policy and regulatory frameworks for gene editing in Asian and Australasian countries.

International experts presented about the science and status of gene editing research and regulations worldwide. Representatives from Asian and Australasian countries were also invited to share their perspectives on the policies and regulations on gene editing in their respective countries. A special session on science diplomacy and harmonization was led by Dr. Muhammad Adeel and Prof. Mike Jones from Murdoch University, where international negotiations were simulated through an interactive engagement called Biotech Game.

The workshop concluded with the facilitation of working groups that laid out the opportunities, challenges, stakeholders' perspectives, and the way forward for policy consensus.

For more information, contact knowledgecenter@isaaa.org.