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Managing Biosafety Capacity Development: Technical and Political Aspects

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Abstract

Biotechnology and genetic engineering are new tools with the potential to improve agricultural production, create new diagnostics and develop new medicinal applications. But modem biotechnology may not necessarily make everything better in all cases. Indeed, there are important biotechnology safety issues in health, the environment and sustainable development. Also, any debate on biosafety will fail if it does not consider the social, economic and political implications. On the other hand, any risk assessment will also fail if it does not specifically and differentially address potential areas of impact. Finally, successful biosafety capacity building in developing countries will require public and political commitment. This paper examines the current status of biosafety systems in developing countries and suggests a participatory strategy for developing national biosafety frameworks in the light of the Cartagena-Protocol.

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de Kathen, A. (2000). Managing Biosafety Capacity Development: Technical and Political Aspects. In: Qaim, M., Krattiger, A.F., von Braun, J. (eds) Agricultural Biotechnology in Developing Countries. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3178-1_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3178-1_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-4864-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-3178-1

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