Issues, Concerns, and Strategies in Addressing Biosafety

Biotechnology guidelines and policies are essential to creating public and political confidence, encourage future investment and reduce fears and scepticism. We need to be aware of technologies that could be detrimental and encourage those that are potentially useful. Thus, the over-regulation of the science need not carry the day but be tempered with caution. Most new technologies have gone through phases of caution and remain under regulation, and most technological advancements are not inherently bad but unanticipated misuse or side effects could bring many into disrepute. Fear of the unknown has forced us to evaluate advances in technology for any unintended side effects. Gatherings, such as this conference on sorghum biosafety, are important in creating awareness, sorting out issues, and arriving at some consensus. Countries in the developing world are in the proccess of developing safety regulations, thus the opportunity is ripe for coordination and harmonization of regulations. The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) is in a unique position to implement this process through capacity building and information exchange. There is interest in biotechnology companies in this regard and Pioneer Overseas Corporation has been contributing to the ISAAA initiative.