Building biotechnology regulatory capability in southeast Asia

Abstract

Biotechnology innovations offer solutions to problems related to food security, poverty and environmental degradation associated with high population growth rate and intensive agriculture. However, biosafety and biodiversity concerns as well as technical and institutional capability limitations, constrain its widespread application. Countries intending to use biotechnology products are required to implement the National Biosafety Framework (NBF) in compliance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) and develop human resource and institutional capability to undertake biotechnology research and development (R&D) and implement biosafety regulations.