The Biotechnology Resource Book from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) is based on a series of training courses and contains modules on: introduction to molecular biology and genetic engineering; ecological aspects; risk analysis; testing and post-release monitoring of GMOs; and legal aspects.
June 2011: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has published the “Biosafety Resource Book,” based on a series of training courses organized by FAO from 2002 to 2010. The book consists of five modules: introduction to molecular biology and genetic engineering; ecological aspects; risk analysis; testing and post-release monitoring of GMOs; and legal aspects.
The training courses, held in the framework of the FAO’s biosafety capacity development projects, were tailored to meet the needs of biosafety regulators, policy-makers and members of national biosafety committees. The courses provided background knowledge critical in the process of reviewing biosafety dossiers and biosafety-related decision-making, and acquainted participants with concepts and methodologies relevant to risk analysis of genetically modified organisms (GMO) release and biosafety management.
Special attention has been paid in the book to avoid technical jargon and to keep the modules scientifically accurate as well as accessible to non-specialists. [Publication: FAO Biosafety Resource Book]