African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12481

Review

The need for biosafety regulation in developing countries: Benefits and controversies

Zinatul A. Zainol1,2, Latifah Amin1,3*, Noor Sharizad Rusly1,3, Hasrizul Hashim1,3, Nik Marzuki Sidik1,4, Frank Akpoviri1,2 and Rosli Ramli5
  1Social Impact of Biotechnology Development in Malaysia (SIMBIO) Research Group, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. 2Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. 3Centre for General Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. 4Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. 5Institute of Biological Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Published: 03 September 2011

Abstract

Nowadays, the rapid development of biotechnology has become a main concern for a larger part of the world. It has become one of the most promising fields which guarantee returns to businesses and offers benefits to the society. When dealing with biotechnology, the first issue that comes to mind is the safeness of the technology from tip to toe, that is, the safeness of the products of biotechnology, how they can be used on human beings and animal, and their effects on the environment. The objective of this paper is to assess the needs and adequacy of the regulation in developing countries compared to the developed countries. In order to address these concerns, governments have adopted appropriate regulations to ensure the safety of the biotechnology products, and to protect not just human but the environment universally. This paper will discuss those regulations, especially as adopted by developing countries along with their implications. It is hoped that the paper will recover the lack of the regulations in relation to developed country. 

Key words: Biotechnology, biosafety, developing countries, benefits, risks and controversies.

Abbreviation

GMOs, Genetically modified organisms; GM, genetically modified;NRE, Natural Resources and Environment; NBB, National Biosafety Board.