Implementation of Biosafety Regulations in a Developing Country: The case of Mexico1

Advances in biotechnology have offered new opportunities for the development and release of transgenic plants to the farming world. However, there are concerns about deployment of transgenic varieties alongside traditional crops and natural flora and fauna. National biosafety committees are emphasized in order to facilitate access to biotechnology, but also safeguard against uncontrolled release of transgenic plants. To be effective, a national biosafety committee should have a legal status, and should be composed of a few technical people, say from the departments of biotechnology, agriculture and natural resources.