Malaysian Biosafety Act enters into force

December 14 – The Malaysian government has implemented a new measure aimed at promoting biotechnology within the country, while complying with the standards set out by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Malaysian Biosafety Act 2007 was approved by the House of Representatives and entered into force on 1 December 2009. With this approval, the Malaysian government will establish a National Biosafety Board, which will include representatives from seven Ministries and four experts from relevant fields.

In addition, the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee - a group of scientists responsible for assessing whether live modified organisms are safe to be released into the environment - is now expected to become a formal body. The Act is being hailed by others as an ambitious move to protect against the risks genetic modification could have on biodiversity and the environment, as well as a milestone in the creation of a legal framework for the biotech industry in Malaysia - one of the most biodiversity-dense countries in the world.

International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
http://ictsd.org/i/news/biores/65569/