Published in Probe Volume 6 (Final): July 1996
The proceedings containing 60 scientific papers presented at the Third Annual Symposium on the Biosafety Results of Field Tests of Genetically Modified Plants and Microorganisms, held November 13-16, 1994, in Monterey, California, are now available from the Plant Genome Data and Information Center.
The proceedings present discussions of hard-hitting issues pertaining to recombinant DNA technology, with a focus on sophisticated safety data obtained after years of research in small- and large-scale field tests. The symposiums 225 participants represented 34 countries, many of which were developing nations just beginning to enter the biotechnology arena.
A highlight of the symposium was the remarks by luncheon speaker Ding Yong, deputy director at the China National Center for Biotechnology Development in Beijing. Yong discussed his governments 1993 implementation of the 7th Command, which regulates biotechnology research and industrial and agricultural activities in China based on four levels of safety. This regulation includes provisions that carefully weigh the human and environmental impact of field-testing biotech plants and microorganisms. Some products currently under investigation include tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and cotton. In addition, Yong said China is willing to share its biosafety data with other nations.
Other speakers described the results of field-testing virus-resistant squash in the United States and Mexico; field assessments of papaya, cucurbits, tomatoes, rhizobia, tobacco mosaic virus, potatoes, and flax; encapsidation (combining parts) of viruses in transgenic plants; gene escape in transgenic sugar beet; the biosafety results of transgenic rice plants in Japan; and allergenicity issues.
Evening workshops focused on databases for biosafety, public information and consumers perspectives, and new risk assessment paradigms.
The symposium was sponsored by USDA; the European Commission; the Society for Techno-Innovation in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry in Japan; EPA; Clemson University; and the University of California-Davis. To obtain a copy, please contact PGDIC, NAL, ARS, USDA, 10301 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705-2351; phone: (301) 504-6613; fax: (301) 504-7098; e-mail: pgenome@nal.usda.gov
The fourth biosafety symposium will take place in Tsukuba Science City, Japan, July 14-18, 1996, according to Alin Young, science adviser for CSREES and co-organizer of three preceding symposia.
The meeting will center on six panels that will address such issues as agronomic products in the marketplace; emerging capabilities of developing countries; risk assessment; field experience using microorganisms as bioindicators, biosensors, or biomonitors; new research techniques for biosafety evaluations; and international cooperation.
The host institution will be the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Science. Keiji Kainuma, Director General of the Center, will chair the meeting. For more information, please write to Akihiro Hino, Deputy Director, Biotechnology Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100 Japan; or call +81-3-3502-3919; FAX: +81-3-3502-4028; E-mail: akhino@s.affrc.go.jp