Workshop on bio-safety for Indian science journalists
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The Indian Science Writers’ Association (ISWA), Science Technology and Development Initiative (STAD) and the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) are holding a workshop on bio-safety for science journalists and communicators on July 5-6, 2006 in New Delhi.
Venue: Indian National Science Academy (INSA), Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002, India July 05-06, 2006. Biological manipulation is not new. Artisans have exploited traditional fermentation techniques to transform grains into bread and beer, and milk into cheese. Such intentional modifications of the natural world have contributed enormously to human well-being. Over the past 30 years, however, our ability to alter life-forms has been revolutionized by modern biotechnology. For example, scientists can insert genes from a coldwater fish into a tomato to create a frost-resistant plant, or use bacterial genes to make herbicide-tolerant corn. The results are known as living modified organisms (LMOs) or more popularly genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Sometime eyebrows are however raised over these because modern biotechnology is still so new and much is unknown about how its products may behave and evolve, and how they may interact with other species. That apart, experimenting and manipulating harmful and toxic bio-organisms may cause disasters if necessary measures at various levels are overlooked. The concept of bio-safety encompasses a range of measures, policies and procedures for minimizing potential risks that biotechnology may pose to the environment and human well being. Establishing credible and effective safeguards for GMOs is critical for maximizing the benefits of biotechnology while minimizing its risks. Such safeguards must be put in place now, while biotechnology is still relatively young. The basic thought behind the workshop is to bring journalists and writers to the fold of bio-safety, biotechnology, biodiversity and related issues. So that they are at home with the subject and can do justice to the importance and inevitability of the subject while covering these issues in mass media. The ultimate beneficiaries are the masses who eventually get wealth of quality media content. Who can participate: Journalists and writers with interest for writing on scientific issues are invited to attend this two days workshop. Deadline: Registration : June 30, 2006; prior registration is mandatory. There is some provision of travel support for selected delegates/ ISWA members. International delegates will make their own travel arrangements; the organizers could offer free stay and meals. Addresses for communication: Mr. L.D. Kala Science Technology and Development Initiative (STAD) C-3/D-II, IIT Campus, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India Phone: +91-11-26863811; +91- 9313899865 (Mobile) Dr. Manoj Patairiya Indian Science Writers’ Association (ISWA) 25/3, Sector-I, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi-110017, India Phone : +91-11-29565872 |
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