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Publications

Electronic Fora

	The African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF) is a not-for-profit, non-political and non-sectarian association providing a platform for sharing, debating and understanding all issues pertaining to biotechnology in agriculture, health, industry and environment.
	The FAO Electronic Forums on Biotechnology in Food and Agriculture was established in March 2000 with the aim of providing quality balanced information on agricultural biotechnology in developing countries and to make a neutral platform available for people to exchange views and experiences on this subject.
	Results from the FAO Biotechnology Forum: Background and dialogue on selected Issues, J Ruane & A. Sonnino (2006), FAO Research and Technology Paper 11 Summary Document of fora taking place from 2002-2005 - "From a global consideration of the conferences, it was concluded that there is a large demand for good quality science-based unbiased information regarding agricultural biotechnology in developing countries, and secondly, that people in developing countries have a great interest and willingness to participate in dialogues on this subject. Regarding GMOs, there was no evidence of the intensity and polarisation of the debate declining while regarding non-GMO biotechnologies, on the other hand, there was general agreement about the positive role that they can play in developing countries and that they should complement more conventional technologies. For both GMOs and non-GMO biotechnologies, intellectual property rights were perceived as an important issue and their consequences were generally seen as negative. Finally, the conferences indicated that many developing countries currently lack the resources and capacity to minimise the risks and maximise the benefits of agricultural biotechnology and that capacity building should be prioritised."
	Conference 13 – “The role of biotechnology for the characterisation and conservation of crop, forest, animal and fishery genetic resources in developing countries”, 6 June – 3 July 2005 Conference 12 – “Public participation in decision-making regarding GMOs in developing countries: How to effectively involve rural people”, 17 January – 13 February 2005 Conference 11 – “Biotechnology applications in food processing: Can developing countries benefit?” 14 June – 15 July 2004 Conference 10 – “Molecular marker assisted selection as a potential tool for genetic improvement of crops, forest trees, livestock and fish in developing countries”, 17 November – 14 December 2003 Conference 9 – “Regulating GMOs in developing and transition countries”, 28 April – 1 June 2003 Conference 8 – “What should be the role and focus of biotechnology in the agricultural research agendas of developing countries?” 13 Nov – 11 Dec 2002 Conference 7 – “The potential importance and impact of gene flow from genetically modified (GM) crops, forest trees, fish or animals to non-GM populations, with particular focus on developing countries”, 31 May – 6 July 2002 Conference 6 – “The impact of intellectual property rights (IPRs) on food and agriculture in developing countries”, 20 March – 13 May 2001 Conference 5 – “Can agricultural biotechnology help to reduce hunger and increase food security in developing countries?” 1 November – 17 December 2000 Conference 4 - How appropriate are currently available biotechnologies for the fishery sector in developing countries?” 1 August – 8 October 2000 Conference 3 – “The appropriateness, significance and application of biotechnology options in the animal agriculture of developing countries”, 12 June – 25 August 2000 Conference 2 – “How appropriate are currently available biotechnologies for the forestry sector in developing countries?” 25 April – 30 June 2000 Conference 1 – “How appropriate are currently available biotechnologies in the crop sector for food production and agriculture in developing countries?” 20 March – 26 May 2000
	Ifgene – International Forum for Genetic Engineering was formed to promote a deeper dialogue about genetic engineering by giving special attention to: the worldviews out of which people approach science and its application to genetic engineering (biotechnology); the moral and spiritual implications of genetic engineering.
	BIC Philippines - SEARCA BIOTECH E-Group is an e-group hosted by the SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center to promote sharing of science-based agricultural biotechnology information among members.
	Substantive responses received by the Small Islands Voice global forum to the posting on the theme 'Controlling the world's food supply‘ from newspaper article, 14 November 2006