Biotechnology, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), biosafety

Abstract

Nowadays, application areas of biotechnology is widening especially in medicine and agriculture due to advances in biotechnology. In countries, such as US, Argentina, Canada, China, South Africa and Australia genetically modified agricultural products have been developed. Although there are EU regulations of GDO product, there is no consensus. In some of the EU's countries their production is stopped and their import is subject to official permission and it is obligatory that they have 'GDO' label. In Turkey, although there is no production of genetically modified organisms, some GDO artifacts has been detected in some products. Therefore application of risk assessment techniques and necessary regulations seem to be inevitable concerning public health and environmental aspects of GDO. In Turkey, disqualified risk analysis laboratories, shortage of qualified personnel, less consumer awareness make control and monitoring mechanisms less efficient. In accordance with the "Cartagena Biosafety Protocol" the necessary studies have been under way for the Biosafety Law by the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs. Governments, researchers and consumers are responsible for the risks and benefits of the gene technology. In terms of consumer rights, the consumers should be informed by labeling the GM-derived food and food productions. The import-export, production and use of genetically modified organisms in food products should be strictly controlled and monitored.