This video outlines the nature, potential benefits and risks of living modified organisms (LMOs) and provides an overview of the main provisions of the Biosafety Protocol.
24 March 2011: The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has produced a video containing messages on the main provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
The video, which is approximately seven minutes long, explains the uses, nature and origin of living modified organisms (LMOs) and describes their potential risks for biodiversity. It outlines the objective of the Biosafety Protocol — to ensure the safe handling, transport and transfer of LMOs — and notes the procedures established by the Protocol to ensure informed decision making concerning: transboundary movements of LMOs; risk assessment and risk management; documentation and identification; public awareness; and publication of decisions on the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH).
The video also addresses the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress, which specifies, among other issues, response measures to be taken in the event of damage to biodiversity by LMOs.
The last part of the video provides sources of information and encourages active involvement in decision making about LMOs and awareness raising about the Protocol and its contribution to conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity.
The video is available in different formats, and via the BCH YouTube channel. [CBD News] [CBD Press Release] [Video on the Biosafety Protocol] [BCH YouTube Channel]