A seminar entitled “Embracing Biosafety, Biosecurity and Bioethics in Research 2017” was successfully organised by the Medical Biotechnology Research Group UPM, with joint collaborations with the National Bioethics Council and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) on 15th August 2017. The full-day seminar was held at Dewan Kuliah Utama, Biotech1, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences with the aim of introducing the various principles and acts pertaining to issues of biosafety, biosecurity and bioethics at national and international levels to researchers, officers, administrators, policy makers, as well as postgraduates in Malaysia.
The seminar was officiated by the MOSTI Deputy Secretary General, Prof. Madya Dr. Ramzah Dambul whom attended the ceremony on behalf of the MOSTI Secretary General. The opening ceremony was also graced by the presence of UPM’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dato’ Dr. Husaini Omar and the Deputy Dean (Research and Postgraduate Studies) of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Prof. Dr. Shuhaimi Mustafa.
The seminar was highly popular among researchers, with an attendee list of over 200 participants from various research institutions, organisations, and universities. Throughout the seminar processions, various discourse, exposure, and discussions regarding to the Malaysian Biosafety Act 2007, Malaysian Code of Responsible Conduct in Research (MCRCR) as well as procedures involved in applications related to bioethics took place, in addition to a myriad of issues pertaining to biosafety, biosecurity and bioethics. Among the issues discussed during the seminar included:
A total of 10 presentation slots were delivered by eminent invited speakers in the field, and the seminar session was wrapped up with a panel discussion forum chaired by Prof. Datin Paduka Dr. Khatijah Mohd Yusoff. It is hoped that an awareness among participants was inculcated towards the many issues, acts, and procedures involving biosafety, biosecurity, and bioethics in Malaysia. Knowledge and awareness towards these important issues, especially in the fields of medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology would ensure the advancement of science and knowledge in Malaysian research institutions at the highest academic refute whilst remaining relevant towards the needs of the global community.
The organising committee of the Embracing Biosafety, Biosecurity and Bioethics in Research 2017 seminar would like to extend their foremost gratitude to MOSTI for their financial as well as organisational support, and to the National Bioethics Council for a fruitful collaborative endeavour in making sure the seminar this year a success.
Prepared by:
Dr. Mas Jaffri Masarudin
Assistant Secretary,
Seminar Embracing Biosafety, Biosecurity and Bioethics in Research 2017
Medical Biotechnology Research Group, UPM
Date of Input: 22/08/2017 | Updated: 24/08/2017 | hirfarizan
Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia