This was highlighted during the opening ceremony of the two-day Fifth Asean Meeting on Genetically Modified Food Testing Network held yesterday in BSS.
Hjh Normah Suri Hayati PJDSM DSU (Dr) Hj Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, the Director of Agriculture, spoke on the reasons behind the impact of and the current doubts on GM food`s global growth.
The Asean Genetically Modified Food Testing Network is a working group under the Asean SONIAMAF.
It serves as a platform for member countries to improve GM food testing capabilities by sharing their resources and expertise.
It also works to enhance the credibility of Asean member countries` regulatory processes, thus increasing public confidence in and general acceptance of GM food.
The meeting`s main agenda was to discuss the progress of the work plan that includes updates on the current status of the Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) regulatory systems and testing capabilities, as well as the level of expertise to be found in Asean countries.
There will also be presentations of papers on the Global Status of GM Crops, the Discussion on Establishment of Regional Training Centres for Testing GM Food, Discussion on the Terms of References of the Asean Coordinating Committee on Food Safety, as well as other reports from member countries.
In her opening speech, Hjh Normal] Suri Bayati also talked about the remarkable progress in crops made by GM technology. She said that to date, GM crops are grown in 23 countries, covering about 114.3 million hectares.
Moreover, given today`s global food crisis that is party due to the weather, climate change and natural disaster, scientists are pressured to come up with solutions and major breakthroughs in food production to feed the increasing world population.
She added that there is also an unhealthy implication to the world`s political and social atmospheres. Like all new technologies, the genetic modifications of food undoubtedly pose some risks.
The meeting will work with synergy to address various obstacles and challenges, while aiming to increase confidence and awareness on GM food regulations in Asean countries. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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