AFSI Newsletter - September 2022 | |
Virtual Workshop on Microbial Biotechnology for Novel Food and Food Ingredients for Southeast Asia | |
On September 13-15, 2022, the Agriculture & Food Systems Institute is organizing a virtual workshop on Microbial Biotechnology for Novel Food and Food Ingredients for stakeholders in Southeast Asia. Food ingredients are an essential part of the global food supply, and microbial fermentation is used to make purified flavors, vitamins, amino acids, and other compounds for the food industry. Food producers around the world use microbe-derived products because they provide yield, purity, cost competitiveness advantages, and potential resource conservation. Microbial biotechnology, including techniques other than genetic engineering, is one technology used to produce products of microbial fermentation, which includes a range of foods, beverages, and their ingredients. With sessions taking place on three consecutive days, the online event will feature a keynote presentation by Mirte Gosker, who leads the Good Food Institute Asia Pacific as Acting Managing Director. More details are available on our website. | |
Agriculture Biotechnology Seminar Series | |
Between May-August 2022, AFSI organized a series of by-invitation-only online seminars for participants of the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology (HLPDAB) and organizations involved in developing, regulating, and commercializing products of agricultural biotechnology located in APEC member economies. Supported by a grant from the USDA FAS New Technologies and Production Methods Division, the events brought together scientists, regulators, and policy makers to discuss recent advances in genetic engineering and genome editing and products developed using these technologies. Each of the webinars was sponsored by an APEC member economy, specifically Thailand, Indonesia, and Viet Nam, and featured speakers from the region. | |
Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing in Agriculture, Application and Challenges | |
Co-organized with Thailand's Department of Agriculture, this virtual seminar took place on May 11, 2022 and featured speakers from Kasetsart University, Regional Fish Institute, Ltd., and Del Monte Fresh Produce Co., who discussed genome edited plants in Thailand, innovation in aquaculture using the nanogene breeding method, and genetic engineering in pineapple, respectively. The event also included moderated breakout sessions so participants could interact with each other and discuss what they learned.
Event Page»
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The Regulation of Genome Edited Products and Its Challenges | |
Co-organized with Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture, this virtual seminar took place on July 22, 2022 and included two sessions, the first on research and commercialization of gene edited crops and the second on the regulation of gene edited products. The event featured speakers from Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, and the USA, with talks on gene edited bananas and orchids, as well as different regulatory frameworks.
Additional Details»
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Outreach to Enhance Public Awareness and Confidence on Agricultural Biotechnology | |
Co-organized with Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on August 5, 2022, this virtual seminar aimed to improve the understanding of how outreach can enhance public awareness on agricultural biotechnology. Talks covered the global status of agricultural biotechnology, biotech crops in Viet Nam, factors shaping public perception and effective communication, and global regulation of genome edited plants
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Virtual Workshops for APEC HLPDAB Participants | |
In addition to the aforementioned one-day webinars sponsored by APEC member economies located in Southeast Asia, AFSI also co-organized two-day virtual workshops with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for APEC HLPDAB participants. The Role of Agricultural Biotechnology to Address Climate Change took place on April 20-21, 2022 and encouraged the exchange of experiences and knowledge related to the adoption, use, and trade of products of agricultural biotechnology in support of mitigation and adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Agricultural Biotechnology: Sharing Resources, Experiences, and Lessons Learned took place on August 16-17, 2022 and featured lightning talks providing examples of regional collaboration, regulatory harmonization, and online biosafety tools. | | | | | |
