Two interdisciplinary dialogues on biotechnology have taken place in Chennai, India.
The first, held from 7-10 March 2005, focused on biotechnology and organic farming.
Organized by the M.S.
Swaminathan Research Foundation, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement, and the National Commission for Farmers, the meeting addressed various aspects of modern biotechnology of concern to […]
Two interdisciplinary dialogues on biotechnology have taken place in Chennai, India.
The first, held from 7-10 March 2005, focused on biotechnology and organic farming. Organized by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement, and the National Commission for Farmers, the meeting addressed various aspects of modern biotechnology of concern to organic farmers. These included issues of equity and ethics, ownership, intellectual property rights and access to technology, and environmental and food safety implications. Participants also explored steps to ensure that new biotechnologies are pro-poor, pro-nature and pro-women.
The second meeting examined nanobiotechnology and its implications on food, health and nutrition security. Held from 11-13 March 2005, it was organized by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in collaboration with India’s National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the International Food Policy Research Institute, Italian Academy of Sciences, India’s Department of Biotechnology and the US-based Pugwash Movement. The dialogue on nanobiotechnology considered the emerging challenges for food, nutrition and health security, as well as water resource management, genomics, crop improvement and nutrition security, the implications of nanobiotechnology, and emerging issues relating to agricultural biotechnology. Public-private partnerships and biotechnology regulations were also discussed. The meeting approved a series of recommendations, including a proposal to identify the potential of nanobiotechnology in meeting the Millennium Development Goals in the areas of health and sustainable food security. Other recommendations related to the value of a national challenge programme on nanobiotechnology and food and health security, regulatory mechanisms based on ethical and biosafety concerns, capacity building, and greater interaction between scientists and the media on the risks and benefits of biotechnology and nanobiotechnology.
Links to further information
Dialogue on biotechnology and organic farming, Event Website, March 2005
Dialogue on nanobiotechnology, Event Website, March 2005