National Biosafety Framework for Guyana.

The Guyana policy on biotechnology, biosafety and biosecurity aims to strengthen Guyanaís capability to take advantage of the opportunities offered by biotechnology, for the benefit of the individual, industry and the environment. The biotechnology policy aims to promote the accumulation and use of knowledge in the sector, to facilitate the conversion of the results of research projects to practical applications, under ethically acceptable conditions, with the risks overcome and protection to the traditional sectors from the negative effects of some aspects of biotechnology. The policy encourages public-private sector partnerships and foreign direct investment to do business in the country due to its richness of biodiversity and indigenous resources.
The objectives of the policy are: Guide the judicious use of modern biotechnology in Guyana for sustainable development in ways, which do not jeopardise human or environmental health including Guyanaís biodiversity and genetic resources; Ensure effective control of trans-boundary movement of GMOs or products thereby resulting from modern biotechnology through exchange of information and a scientifically based, transparent system of advance informed agreement.
The scope of this policy covers all GMOs and their products, all LMOs and all elements of genetic materials used in genetic manipulation of any kind. This national policy covers in detail: laboratory and field applications of biotechnology within Guyana, the fields of agriculture, environmental management, food/beverage processing, health and industry, the regulatory processes, the biotechnology research and development process, occupational safety at work places where biotechnology procedures are used or products handled, labelling of GMOs in feedstuffs and feeds sold in or imported to or through Guyana and any other measures to ensure public safety or health or environmental
The policy encompasses five pillars, which underline the direction and measures towards developing biotechnology and protecting the nation from the effects of GMOs and GE. The five pillars are: I. Create and sustain public awareness of biotechnology, biosafety and biosecurity and increase the nationís human capital in biotechnology through education and training; II. Establish biotechnology centres of excellence in selected parts of the country, where multidisciplinary research teams work in coordinated initiatives, leading to the transformation of the productive sectors and commercialisation of the rich biodiversity; III. Apply incentives to encourage committed participation from academia and the private sector; IV. Review the legal and regulatory sectoral framework to protect traditional sectors; V. Establish a dedicated and professional agency to spearhead the development of Guyanaís biotechnology sector.