A one-day workshop on biosafety was held at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) under the leadership of professor Abdel Monem ElBanna, the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and professor Mahmoud Sakr, president of ASRT.
In a speech Hamdi Abdel Aziz, vice president of the National Strategy for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Executive Committee, emphasized the importance of genetic engineering, stressing that it should be a priority.
“Research and development also require government support to scientific research in Egypt in order to access alternative or innovative products to solve the problems of agriculture,” he said, assuring
attendees that Egypt has developed a scientific base that is fully qualified to deal with these products.
“Scientific research should not be carried out of fear, rather, it is necessary to have legal systems governing the circulation of these products,” he said. “There is consensus in international forums that the products of genetic engineering are completely safe.”
He concluded that safety is ensured by providing clear information in a transparent manner about these products.
A presentation was given by Professor Naglaa Abdallah, director of EBIC on the global status of biotech/GM crops and the new breeding techniques for crop improvement. She gave a comprehensive talk about CRISPR-Cas9 as a new, cost-effective, quick and safe technique, which could be used with all living organisms.
The meeting was attended by 50 top scientists and stakeholders who are connected with the biosafety law in Egypt. The biosafety law is expected for release by the end of this year.
