Message from the Director

Dear Valued Members

I am still jet-lagged from my Washington DC and Sacramento trip and crossing a few time zones is not easy. However, the interesting talks by USDA, EPA, APHIS, FDA, BIO, IFPRI, PBS, scientists at UC Davis, and farm visit kept the Malaysian delegates awake. For some of them, it was the first time entering a Bt farm. Lucky for us, none of us came out with rashes or allergy and we did not have to wear any space suits… Three GMAC members were part of the delegation and found the visit entirely enlightening and educative.

Many must be eagerly waiting for the COP-MOP meeting in Nagoya in Oct and before that, there is a pre-COP/MOP meeting in Hanoi early Sept. Interesting meetings ahead with everyone trying to remove (or add) as many brackets as possible on the CBD documents...

What is more exciting to MABIC is the MyBiotechnology Carnival 2010 which is shaping up well. We have received a number of entries from fashion school and it is amazing to see how fashion students perceive biotechnology. All the illustration boards will be exhibited during the carnival.

I am also very excited to announce that Prof. Vickneswary from University of Malaya will take part in BioSales and exhibition with all her exhibits on mushroom research and products. She will be also be giving public talks on mushroom. Visitors will be able to buy fresh mushroom and mushroom products from farmers and also sample food prepared from mushroom!

So block your diary from 25 Sept – 2 Oct and head to the National Science Centre.

With more excitements next month!

Wishing all Muslim members “A Blessed Ramadhan”.

Sincerely

Mahaletchumy Arujanan
Executive Director

The much awaited MyBiotechnology Carnival is only a month away, being filled with so many exciting activities arranged for the public and various stakeholders namely the scientists, members of the media, academia, policy makers, students, teachers, and industry. In order not to be left out, come and experience the fun at National Science Centre from 25 September until 2 October 2010.

Visit the website for further information.

University of Dhaka in Bangladesh is the venue for the 6th International Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Conference on December 3-5, 2010. This year's theme is "Role of Biotechnology in Food Security and Climate Change". Scientific sessions will include topics on large scale production of important crops though in vitro techniques, protoplast culture, and somatic hybridization. conservation of biodiversity through biotechnology;plant genetic transformation; and development of crops resistant to abiotic stresses.

Please contact the Conference Secretariat for additional details at baptcb@yahoo.com