Reissue of Biosafety First

26.10.2009

GenØk's book on biosafety has been reissued

Biosafety First is a stimulating collection of the latest thinking concerning biosafety science. It is a unique work as its approach to biosafety is holistic, encompassing not only the scientific, but also the socio-economic, cultural, policy and regulatory spheres. It does not claim to give all the answers, but acknowledges the issues and points to the uncertainties and knowledge gaps that still need to be addressed. Drawing on the new scientific field of "gene ecology", and advocating a precautionary approach, this book provides a foundation on which countries can start to openly and responsibly appraise these new technologies and their products.

About the book

The challenges for risk identification, assessment and management posed by genetic engineering and genetically modified organisms are some of the most demanding issues facing many countries and societies today. The evolving field of biosafety has developed in response to these challenges.

BIOSAFETY FIRST is a stimulating collection of the latest thinking concerning biosafety science. It is a unique work as its approach to biosafety is holistic, encompassing not only the scientific, but also the socio-economic, cultural, policy and regulatory spheres. It does not claim to give all the answers, but acknowledges the issues and points to the uncertainties and knowledge gaps that still need to be addressed. Drawing on the new scientific field of ‘gene ecology’, and advocating a precautionary approach, this book provides a foundation on which countries can start to openly and responsibly appraise these new technologies and their products.

About the authors

Professor Terje Traavik is the author of more than 180 scientific articles and book chapters. He was Professor of Virology at the University of Tromsø, Norway, 1983-2003. Originally a medical and molecular virologist, Traavik later crossed into molecular and cellular cancer research. In 1992 he received the Erna and Olav Aakre Foundation Prize for Excellent Cancer Research. In the early 1990s he was the Board Chairman of the national research programme Environmental Effects of Biotechnology, which was funded by the Research Council of Norway. In 1997, he initiated and became the Scientific Director of GenØk – The Norwegian Institute of Gene Ecology, and since 2003 he has also been Professor of Gene Ecology at the University of Tromsø.

Lim Li Ching has a BSc in Ecology and an MPhil in Development Studies. She works with the biosafety programme at Third World Network, an international NGO based in Malaysia. She has been actively participating at the UN Biosafety Protocol negotiations, its related experts’ meetings and other international, regional and national biosafety meetings. She is also a Senior Fellow of the Oakland Institute, USA.

For more information about the book and how to buy it - click here.