The Concept Of Biosafety - Does The World Need Universal Biosafety Standards?

Anagh Mishra

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the concept of Biosfatey which covers issues relating to release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the environment. The also highlights the need for Biosafety regulations and the potential risks related to use of GMO’s. It also discusses the major international instruments such which deal with the concept of biosafety such as the Convention on Biodiversity, the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety, The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, The Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), The International Plant Protection Convention, UNIDO Voluntary Code of Conduct for release of organisms into the environment 1992 and UNEP Technical Guidelines on Safety in Biotechnology, Codex Alimetarius. The paper further examines various Indian statutes relevant to the concept of biosaftey and the effectiveness of the same in the au courant situation. The concept of biosafety has recently been into much limelight owing to the much debated release of corona virus (COVID-9) in the environment and the lack of universal biosafety standards and the need for uniformity across the globe.

Keywords: GMO’S- Biosafety- Environment Protection- Cartegena Protocol