Biotech Updates

Environmental Risk Assessment Tackled in Bangladesh

July 20, 2012

South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP) in collaboration with the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and the Department of Environment (DoE) organized a workshop on "Problem Formulation for Environmental Risk Assessment of GE Plants in Bangladesh" in Gazipur, Bangladesh on July 13 and 14, 2012.

During the two-day workshop, different aspects on environmental risk assessment of genetically engineered (GE) plants were explained through case studies by around 30 senior academicians, scientists and policy planners. Apart from Bt brinjal, Golden Rice and RB Potato, Bt cotton is on the way to being commercialized. The Cotton Development Board of the Department of Agricultural Extension has been trying to introduce Bt Cotton for commercial cultivation. As a non-food item, it will be easier to be accepted in the country.

Dr. Andrew Robert, SABP manager and Dr. Raymond Leyton, biosafety expert discussed the issues while Prof. M. Imdadul Hoque, Country Coordinator, South Asia Biosafety Program, served as moderator.

For more news about crop biotechnology, in Bangladesh email Dr. Khondoker Nasiruddin of the Bangladesh Biotechnology Information Center at nasirbiotech@yahoo.com.