IPB holds conference

BOGOR, West Java: An expert says genetic engineering has played an important role in accelerating development of agricultural products, international trade and the global environment.

When applied to food technology, however, genetic engineering raises questions of safety, socioeconomic impacts and ethics, according to professor of food technology at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), F.G. Winarno.

He was speaking on the safety of genetically modified foods at an international seminar held by the institute in cooperation with the Indonesian Academy of Science and the office of the state minister of food.

The gathering is expected to formulate answers to questions on safety and to issue a set of recommendations to Indonesia. Some 250 experts and researchers are attending the seminar which will conclude today. (24)