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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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