Dr. Audia Barnett, ContributorTHE CARTAGENA Proto-col on Biosafety is an international set of rules, designed to ensure that countries trading in agricultural seeds or foods that may be genetically altered, firstly know that they are doing so, and secondly, are taking the necessary steps to manage any potential risks that these may have on the environment or human health. Why is this an issue?
After years of neglecting the environment, countries rallied together and in 1992 ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the main international tool for addressing the sustainability of life as we know it. Jamaica ratified the Convention in 1995.
During the intervening years (1992-1995), the CBD recognised the double-edged nature of the emerging "new" science that of modern biotechnology. Concerned about conserving the integrity of the world's biological diversity, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention in 1995 established a working group on "Biosafety" to develop a protocol focusing specifically on the movement of genetically-altered living matter across geographical borders.
After years of meetings, developing various drafts and negotiating a text which was amenable to most countries, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was born. After much compromise, it was adopted in Montreal, at dawn, January 29, 2000.
Incidentally, Jamaica played a significant role in the drafting of the text, negotiation and post-negotiation activities, and is currently widely respected for its role in championing the cause of CARICOM members and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
CONTROVERSY
Worldwide controversy on Genetically Modified Foods (GM Foods) date back to the late '90s when consumer advocates and the public were made aware of the implications of gene transfer across species.
Think of it we have grown accustomed to grafting a superior type of mango on another mango tree by transferring the genetic material from one mango to another. With modern technology, scientists are now able to transfer genetic material from bacteria to grains, or from fish to fruits to get desired characteristics ranging from pesticide resistance to nutritional enhancement.
Viewed as a gargantuan step, some are experiencing trepidation, opining that it opens the possibility for practically any type of transfer and therefore capable of producing unexpected "Frankenfoods" or worse yet of wiping out our native crops.
Others note, with excitement and anticipation, the possibility of feeding the world's hungry and ensuring food security for all. While this mixed reaction was expected, the intensity was not. Lack of information (and at times misinformation) caused the controversy to mushroom, resulting in consumer advocates, environmentalists, scientists, and the media being embroiled in issues of consumer rights, motives, sound science, "what ifs" and general hype.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety represents a modest attempt to have countries, large and small, comply with a set of international rules, to ensure that while we reap the benefits of modern biotechnology, the environment and the health of our people are not compromised. It provides the minimum rules and procedures for guiding countries and leaves to the discretion of individual countries the right to develop more stringent regulations if necessary. Of course, countries which ratify the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, thereby becoming parties to the Protocol, enjoy several privileges. These will be shared in Part II next Sunday.
Dr. Audia Barnett is Executive Director of the Scientific Research Council.
