Convention of Biodiversity

(CBD) [1992]
 BIOSAFETY

‘Biosafety’ means the need to

protect human and animal health
and environment from the possible
adverse effects of the products of
modern biotechnology
Biosafety training material borrowed from Marcia Finucane and Brandy Nelson at the University of Kentucky .
 
International Evolution
Environmentalism emerged as a distinct
development in the last forty years.
 Emergence of “pressure groups” in the sixties
 First Earth Day (1970)
 The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
and Development (1972)
 The Brundtland Report: our Common Future (1987)
 The Rio Earth Summit (1992)
 Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) [1992]
 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) [1993]
Convention of Biodiversity (CBD) [1992]
– Focus: conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity
– Recognized the potential of modern biotechnology
for human well being
– Took cognizance that modern biotechnology could
have serious effects on environment and health
– Article 8(g) emphasized the need to regulate the
risks associated with the use of LMOS.
– Article 19(3) set the stage for a legally binding
international instrument about biosafety.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB)
 Entered into force on 29th December 1993
 Focus on transboundary movement of the
LMOS.
 Seeks to lay down an internationally acceptable
framework to provide for an adequate level of
protection against the possible adverse affects of
LMOS on biodiversity and human health.
 Status of Protocol

On 29 January 2000, the Conference of the Parties to the

Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a supplementary
agreement to the Convention known as the Cartagena Protocol
on Biosafety.

The Protocol entered into force on 11 September 2003, ninety

days after the deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification.
 Objective:
• “The objective of the Protocol is to contribute to
ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field
of the safe transfer, handling and use of living
modified organisms resulting from modern
biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the
conservation and sustainable use of biological
diversity, taking also into account risks to human
health, and specifically focusing on transboundary
movements".
 Features:

• Decision to accept import of GMOs on the basis of risk assessment

– to identify and evaluate the potential adverse effects that a
GMO may have on the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity in the receiving environments
– to be undertaken in a scientific manner using recognized risk
assessment techniques
– country considering permitting the import of a GMO is
responsible for ensuring that a risk assessment is carried out
– it has the right to require the exporter to do the work or to
bear the cost
 Features contd…
• No technology or human activity is completely
risk-free. People accept new technologies
because they believe the potential benefits
outweigh the potential risks

• The Protocol requires each country to manage

and control any risks they may be identified by
a risk assessment
• Effective risk management:
– Monitoring systems, research programs, technical
training and improved domestic coordination
amongst government agencies and services

– Protocol also requires each government to notify

and consult other affected or potentially affected
governments when it becomes aware that GMOs
under its jurisdiction may cross international
borders due to illegal trade or release into the
environment
THANK YOU