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Saturday, February 21, 2004

Malaysia to be a signatory of biosafety protocol

News update by Nick Leong of The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has agreed to become a signatory of the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety because it believes in the need for a proper mechanism to deal with genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said there was an urgent need to establish protocols for the safe transfer, handling and use of GMOs.

“We urge other countries, in particular the major producers and exporters of GMOs, to join the rest of the world in making the world a safer place as we seek to reap the vast benefits of biotechnology,” he said when opening a high-level dialogue on Trade, Biotechnology and Sustainable Development at the Legend Hotel here on Saturday.

Apart from international mechanisms, he said it was also important to develop domestic legislative capacity to "give teeth" to international conventions and protocols.

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