Along with the introduction of genetically modified
organisms in the field, both biotechnology companies
and academic institutes have conducted biosafety
research in order to study the potential ecological impact
of the modified organisms. With the growing concerns
among various stakeholders, priority has been given to
academic research on biosafety-related issues. For
instance, the European Commission begun funding
biosafety research of genetically modified plants in 1989,
right after the first experimental releases of those
modified crops. In the 5th Framework EC Research
program biosafety research became a key action
supporting 81 projects (for details see: http://
europa.eu.int/comm/research/quality-of-life/gmo/index.html).
During this period, researchers gathered regularly to
exchange ideas and their latest research results in this
field at different workshops and also at a series of
symposia held biennially since 1990. As early as the 5th International Symposium on the Biosafety of
Genetically Modified Organisms, held in Braunschweig
(Germany) in 1998, the Symposium's International
Advisory Committee supported an idea to launch a new peer-reviewed journal, Environmental Biosafety
Research (EBR), to facilitate communication in this
research area, where controversial views are constantly
expressed. It is hoped that EBR will contribute to
clarifying the scientific terms of the debate, and that this
will be useful for decision makers and other members of
society. Another important event was the incorporation
of a new learned Society, the International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR), which was decided at the the 6th Symposium held in Saskatoon (Canada) in 2000.
At the most recent Symposium, the first ISBR officers
were elected: President, Alan McHughen (USA); Vice-
President, Mark Tepfer (France); Secretary/Treasurer,
Allison Snow (USA). Scientists who met at the 7th International Symposium in Beijing appreciated the
quality of the first issue of EBR (a sample copy can be
requested, and subscription purchased at: http://
www.edpsciences.org/ebr/) and the possibility of
registration for membership of the newly-incorporated
Society. Information on becoming an ISBR member,
which gives the right to a reduced subscription price for
EBR, can be obtained from Allison Snow
([email protected]).
In Beijing, where more than 300 scientists registered
from more than 30 countries, participants were able to
learn not only the latest results on biosafety research, and
in particular received first hand information about
biosafety research in China, where GM crops are grown
for commercial purposes. At this latest Symposium, the
opening ceremony reflected the importance of the new
technology, along with the safety considerations. This
was followed by the different scientific sessions on new
science for enhanced biosafety, consequences of gene
flow, the possible implications of the releases of
transgenic crops in centers of origin or diversity, the
rationale of GMO regulations, biosafety considerations
in China, transgenic insects for pest management
programs and the effect of GMOs on microbial
communities. The Symposium Programme Committee
selected the above mentioned hot topics, among which
two had outstanding interest for the audience. First, this
was the first time that biosafety considerations on the
release of transgenic insects were discussed, and second,
the different questions raised by the detection of a Bt gene
in landraces of Mexican corn were debated. These
sessions were followed by a field trip to Langfang (Hebei
Province) to visit a transgenic Bt cotton field.
The opening lectures, delivered by the Vice Minister
of China's Ministry of Science and Technology, followed
by the Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Agriculture,
emphasized that Chinese agriculture is the fourth largest
in the world, feeding over 20
This fact underlines that food safety and security are of
great concern to Chinese society. The introduction of
modern technology into agricultural practice could start a
new green revolution by helping to meet with the
growing food demand especially from the point of view
of quality. China issued safety administration regulations
on genetic engineering as early 1993. Implementing the
regulations was started in 1996, by regulating field tests,
environmental releases, and commercialization of transgenic plants. Since 1997, a total of 703 applications for
biosafety evaluations were registered, and 517 were approved. Last year, ten lines of transgenic plants were
approved, including the most important crops for China,
such as rice, soybean and cotton. After the inaugural lectures, Axel Hebel, representing UNESCO, expressed
the importance of biosafety research on a global scale,
while Charles Kessler (EC) presented the view of the European Union member states, and the actions taken by
the Commission, which supported the organization of
this symposium and is strongly committed to the organization of the following ISBR Symposium in France in
2004.
The independent scientific sessions chaired by
distinguished scientists from all over the world presented
the state of the art of the selected topics. In this special
section of EBR, the session chairs have been asked to
collaborate closely with the speakers, in order to
summarize the major achievements of their sessions.
Plenary scientific sessions at 7th International Symposium on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified
Organisms :
• New science for enhanced biosafety – Joachim Schiemann
• Consequences of gene flow – Allison Snow
• Possible implication of the release of transgenic crops in centers of origin or diversity –
Ariel Alvarez–Morales
• Why regulate and how? – Julian Kinderlerer
• Research and regulation on Biosafety of GMOs in China – Hongguang Wang (overview written by Yufa Peng and Shirong Jia)
• Transgenic insects for pest management programs: status and prospects – Marjorie Hoy
• Effects of GMOs on microbial communities – Kornelia Smalla