Dear friends and colleagues,
We are pleased to inform you
that the third annual course on Holistic Foundations for Assessment and
Regulation of Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Organisms will
be held in Tromso,
Norway
from 22 August to 2 September 2005.
Details are in the announcement
below.
Yours sincerely,
Chee Yoke Ling
Third World Network
............................................................................
Holistic Foundations for Assessment
and Regulation of Genetic Engineering
and Genetically Modified Organisms
Date:
22 August - 2 September 2005
Venue: Science Park/University
of Tromsø, Tromsø,
Norway
Topics include:
* Overview of genomes, genes and gene expression.
* Genome sequencing, bioinformatics and functional genomics.
* Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from GMOs.
* Various application areas for genetic engineering.
* Various risk areas connected to GE/GMO applications.
* Economic, legal, ethical aspects of GE/GMO applications.
* Cultural, social, political issues in GE/GMO.
* Policy issues, including capacity building and implementation
thereof (scientific, enforcement, educational, legal).
* Alternatives to GE/GMO applications and gene ecology.
* Laboratory practicals on PCR and HGT into bacterial and mammalian
cells.
Background
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety seeks to protect biological diversity
from the potential risks posed by "genetically modified organisms"
(GMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology/genetic engineering. Implementation
of biosafety regulation is therefore the focus of many countries. The
process of implementing the Protocol has unveiled the lack of basic scientific
knowledge necessary to perform risk assessments and the holistic understanding
of the policy, legal, regulatory, ethical, economic and social dimensions
is in many cases also lacking.
In order for the countries
to perform credible biological risk assessments, multi-disciplinary scientific
and social scientific competence is of critical importance. Each country
need to be able to conduct scientific risk assessment and management generally,
and also specifically for their special environmental, medical and security
needs. Moreover, they need to assess GMOs developed in their countries,
or imported purposely or accidentally from others, into the context of
their special cultural, ethical and regulatory frameworks.
About the course
The course is designed to provide high-level policy makers, regulators,
scientists and NGOs/civil society leaders, specifically from developing
countries (ODA-countries), with knowledge and training in crucial GE/GMO
issues. Through lectures, laboratory demonstrations, group work on case
studies, and discussions, we offer biosafety capacity building within
a holistic framework. Participants will also be required to submit a GE/GMO/biosafety
country report.
Eligibility and selection process
An application form must be filled in. The applicant must provide information
about the type/level of position they are holding, and state the basis
for their interest in the course. In addition, a brief CV needs to be
included.
The working language of the
course will be English only, and as such, applicants should be able to
work sufficiently well in English.
Preference will be given to
applicants from developing countries (Official Development Assistance-countries).
Gender and regional criteria are also used in the selection of participants.
Applications are due by 1 April
2005.
Costs and expenses
Full sponsorship will be given to 40 successful applicants. Priority will
be given to applicants from developing countries (ODA-countries). The
sponsorship will cover curricular materials, travel, visa-fees, accommodation
and meals.
20 non-sponsored places are
available for participants with funding from other sources. The course
fee of US $1000 includes curricular materials, lunch (13 days), opening/farewell
ceremony, local transport and social activities. In addition, non-sponsored
participants will also have to pay for their travel and accommodation
(hotel approx. US $115/night incl. breakfast and dinner).
Online application form
Download application form (word-format)
Contact details
Norwegian Institute
of Gene Ecology (GenØk)
Att: Katrine Jaklin
Science
Park, PB.6418
N-9291 Tromso
Norway
E-mail: biosafety@genok.org
Phone: +47 77 64 55 46
Fax.: +47 77 64 61 00
Web: www.genok.org
Further
information about ODA-countries
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