Indonesian Scientists Seek Implementation of Biosafety Regulation

Indonesian scientists after a gathering for Halal bihalal ceremony (Moslem religion ceremony to forgive one another after Eid Al Fitr holiday), discussed the implementation of the Government Regulation Number 21 Year 2005 on Biosafety of Genetically Engineered Product. Dr. Karden Mulya, director of the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development, Ministry of Agriculture (ICABIOGRAD) presented the guidelines and possible constraints in the implementation of the regulation.

Dr. Muhammad Herman, also from ICABIOGRAD,  elaborated on the need to popularize research and development regulation of GMOs in Indonesia. He said that several regulations on transgenic crops are already in place, but Indonesia must pay attention to ethical concerns. "The use of biodiversity through modern biotechnology resulting in genetically engineered product has provided opportunity to support agricultural production, food security and improvement in the quality of human life," he added.

The event was organized by the Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center and Indonesian Society for Agricultural Biotechnology (PBPI), in collaboration with Croplife Indonesia, and SEAMEO BIOTROP. Some 30 scientists from government institutions and representatives from private sectors participated.

For more information on this event, visit http://www.indobic.or.id or email Dewi Suryani of Indo BIC at dewisuryani@biotrop.org.