Expert urges body to promote use of biotechnology
Expert urges body to promote use of biotechnology
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia must establish a national board to
advise the government on how to promote biotechnology in the
country, according to an expert.
F.G. Winarno, a senior researcher at the Bogor Institute of
Agriculture, said here over the weekend people were often
confused by conflicting statements made by government officials
on controversial biotechnology issues, such as the safety of farm
products which contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
"The advisory board could give input so that the government
would have the same view in responding to questions related to
GMOs," he said.
According to Winarno, people's negative response to GMOs was
exaggerated and often not based on scientific grounds.
He feared that such a reaction would prove counterproductive
to the promotion of GMOs in the country.
"We need to develop agricultural and medical biotechnology to
boost food production," he said.
Winarno said the technology would help farmers grow food crops
that were genetically modified for greater resistance to pests
and diseases, enabling them to reduce the use of insecticides.
He said the technology also could increase the nutritional
value of food crops, which would help promote better health among
the population. Several common examples of such modified crops
are tomatoes, corn and soybeans.
"Consumers should, however, be informed that such products
have already undergone some biosafety examinations before they
were released," Winarno said, adding that producers must provide
detailed information on the content of their products.
He said many countries had set regulations requiring
commodities produced through GMO technology to be labeled
clearly.
The global treaty on biosafety, Cartagena Protocol, regulates
the precautionary approach of protection in GMO products, as well
as setting guidelines requiring exporters and importers to
provide information on such commodities.
"Labeling is in appreciation of the choices of our consumers,
which should be supported by strict regulations from the
government," he said, adding that the rules should be backed by
technical controls on their implementation.
The government recently issued guidelines on the biosafety of
farm products in line with the global treaty on GMOs, but several
non-governmental organizations claim the guidelines are too weak
to protect the country from imported GMOs in the future. (07)