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 The National Bio Safety framework is a combination of policy, legal, administrative and technical instruments. It seeks to promote the development and application of biotechnology put in place to address safety for the environment and human health. This would take into account the protection of biological resources to ensure their sustainability. It would address protection of human health while minimising the potential adverse socio-economic impact of biotechnology. The regulatory regime comprises legislation, laws, acts, regulations and guidelines with follow up systems to monitor the effects of biotechnology on the environment, human, animal or plant life or health and enforce compliance. The framework provides mechanisms for public awareness, education and participation on matters pertaining to GMOs. Siele said the framework would lead to regulation of the use of modern biotechnology in order for the country to benefit. "I believe many of you are aware of the use of modern biotechnology in the fields of medicine, agriculture, mining and energy as well as industry," Siele said. Though there are advances in this field, there are concerns on potential risks associated with the application of modern biotechnology. "This is what brings about the issue of bio-safety - a term used to describe the safe application of modern biotechnology, to reduce or eliminate the potential risks resulting from such technology and its products," said Siele. The workshop facilitator, Nancy Kgengwenyane said the development of the policy is a result of Cartegena Protocol on Bio safety which Botswana is party to. Kgengwenyane said when the framework was drafted, they had analysed a few policies such as Vision 2016, which advocate for an innovative nation. "Innovation involves science and technology," she said. She added that they considered the National Development Plan 9, the Science and Technology Policy for Botswana and National Agricultural Policy. She stressed that the overall goal of the framework is to promote the development and application of biotechnology and it takes into account the protection of biological resources, human health and socio-economic impacts. She said they have considered whether biotechnology would not threaten food security. Kgengwenyane said they have a precautionary principle, which calls for practitioners not to practice if they are uncertain. She however cautioned that biotechnology is an expensive process, hence the need to have political will.
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