Abstract:
Development and deployment of genetically engineered
crops requires effective environmental and food safety
assessment capacity. In-country expertise is needed to
make locally appropriate decisions. In April 2007,
biosafety and biotechnology scientists, regulators,
educators, and communicators from Kenya, Tanzania,
and Uganda, met to examine the status and needs of
biosafety training and educational programs in East
Africa. Workshop participants emphasized the
importance of developing biosafety capacity within their
countries and regionally. Key recommendations
included identification of key biosafety curricular
components for university students; collaboration
among institutions and countries; development of
informational materials for non-academic stakeholders
and media; and organization of study tours for decision
makers. It was emphasized that biosafety knowledge is
important for all aspects of environmental health, food
safety, and human and animal hygiene. Thus,
development of biosafety expertise, policies and
procedures can be a stepping stone to facilitate
improved biosafety for all aspects of society and the
environment.
