Wellington, New Zealand:
Global meeting of biosafety researchers

(November 18, 2008) The 10th International Symposium on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms (ISBGMO) is underway in Wellington, New Zealand this week. Some 250 research scientists, regulators and policy makers from 34 countries are meeting to discuss current environmental biosafety research projects on the next generation of genetically modified crops and animals and experiences with post market monitoring programmes.

They will also discuss the differences in authorisation processes and risk assessment of GMOs around the globe to try to find a more harmonious solution for criteria and method requirements. The ISBGMO, organised by the International Society of Biosafety Research (ISBR), is regarded as the world's leading scientific conference in this field. ISBR President Jochen Schiemann sees the symposium as a key element for scientifically based GMO authorisation procedures worldwide. “Knowledge of potential negative environmental impacts of GMOs and their related risk assessments results not only from the quality of the biosafety research itself, but on a continuous, interactive cooperation of regulators, policy makers and science. This symposium is the place for that.”

Further information:

• GMO Safety: Global meeting of biosafety researchers