Development and deployment of genetically engineered crops requires
effective environmental and food safety assessment capacity. In-country
expertise is needed to make locally appropriate decisions. In April
2007, biosafety and biotechnology scientists, regulators, educators,
and communicators from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, met to examine the
status and needs of biosafety training and educational programs in East
Africa. Workshop participants emphasized the importance of developing
biosafety capacity within their countries and regionally. Key
recommendations included identification of key biosafety curricular
components for university students; collaboration among institutions
and countries; development of informational materials for non-academic
stakeholders and media; and organization of study tours for decision
makers. It was emphasized that biosafety knowledge is important for all
aspects of environmental health, food safety, and human and animal
hygiene. Thus, development of biosafety expertise, policies and
procedures can be a stepping stone to facilitate improved biosafety for
all aspects of society and the environment