OECD conference on GM food safety
29 February 2000 - 29 February 2000
United Kingdom
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is holding a major international conference, hosted by the British Government, to review the scientific and health aspects of genetically modified foods. The conference, entitled 'GM Food Safety: Facts, uncertainties, and assessment', will be held in Edinburgh, UK, from 29 February to 1 March 2000.
'Following the adoption of the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety in Montreal and the European Commission's announcement of plans for a European Food Safety Agency, this is a further step in the international debate on the issues raised by genetically modified food', say the conference organisers.
Sir John Krebs, Professor of Zoology at Oxford University, will chair the conference, where more than 400 participants will be able to hear a broad diversity of views on the topic. Scientific experts from both developed and developing countries, from academia, civil society, industry, international organisations and governments will hold a dialogue on the safety of GM food.
There will be debate on a number of key questions related to GM food safety, including:
- What is the state of scientific understanding, and areas of scientific uncertainty, of the genetic modification of food?
- What are the current trends and future prospects- How can we better understand and ensure the safety of GM food?
- How do consumers perceive food safety risks?
- How is GM food safety assessed within existing regulatory frameworks?
- Is further international cooperation on scientific food safety issues required?
There will be an emphasis on science and human health, and the conference is aimed at giving comprehensive and balanced presentations on the themes of genetic modification and food production, GM food and human health and regulatory frameworks and consumer involvement. Open discussion between speakers, panellists and participants will follow each presentation.
To ensure that the debate is transparent, inclusive and accountable, the event will be webcast live at:
URL: http://www.oecd.org/Edinburgh(opens in new window)
The conference forms part of the OECD's work to review and report on selected aspects of biotechnology and food safety in response to mandates from the OECD Ministers and a request from the Group of Eight (G8) industrial countries. It will also provide valuable input to the final report to be submitted to the representatives from the G8 countries later this year in Okinawa, Japan, say the organisers.
For further information, please contact:
E-mail: STIBioquestions@oecd.org
URL: http://www.oecd.org/subject/biotech/edinburgh.htm(opens in new window)
'Following the adoption of the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety in Montreal and the European Commission's announcement of plans for a European Food Safety Agency, this is a further step in the international debate on the issues raised by genetically modified food', say the conference organisers.
Sir John Krebs, Professor of Zoology at Oxford University, will chair the conference, where more than 400 participants will be able to hear a broad diversity of views on the topic. Scientific experts from both developed and developing countries, from academia, civil society, industry, international organisations and governments will hold a dialogue on the safety of GM food.
There will be debate on a number of key questions related to GM food safety, including:
- What is the state of scientific understanding, and areas of scientific uncertainty, of the genetic modification of food?
- What are the current trends and future prospects- How can we better understand and ensure the safety of GM food?
- How do consumers perceive food safety risks?
- How is GM food safety assessed within existing regulatory frameworks?
- Is further international cooperation on scientific food safety issues required?
There will be an emphasis on science and human health, and the conference is aimed at giving comprehensive and balanced presentations on the themes of genetic modification and food production, GM food and human health and regulatory frameworks and consumer involvement. Open discussion between speakers, panellists and participants will follow each presentation.
To ensure that the debate is transparent, inclusive and accountable, the event will be webcast live at:
URL: http://www.oecd.org/Edinburgh(opens in new window)
The conference forms part of the OECD's work to review and report on selected aspects of biotechnology and food safety in response to mandates from the OECD Ministers and a request from the Group of Eight (G8) industrial countries. It will also provide valuable input to the final report to be submitted to the representatives from the G8 countries later this year in Okinawa, Japan, say the organisers.
For further information, please contact:
E-mail: STIBioquestions@oecd.org
URL: http://www.oecd.org/subject/biotech/edinburgh.htm(opens in new window)