PCDIC has participated in the Second International Conference on the Safety of Genetically Modified Food (GMF) that was held in Jordan on Oct 30-31, 2007. An-Najah National University was represented by Dr. Ansam Sawalha, the Director of the PCDIC. This is very crucial according to Dr. Sawalha since GMF has been increasingly present in our food whether we knew or not. There is much in debate regarding the short and long term side effects of such food, which was the reason that led to multiple agencies in Jordan to organize this conference. Conference talks were given by experts in the field from the USA, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, the Arab Gulf, among others. The keynote speaker was Prof. Vincent Hegarty, the specialist in GMF, who tours the world giving lectures about this topic.Lectures covered several aspects: such as the regulatory aspects of GMF, GM feed and its effects, Possibilities of GM genes transmission to humans or animals, comparative analysis of GMF with its regular counterpart, expected side effects that may result from GMF, GMF situation in some Arab countries, Is GMF safe for human use! Why do people use GMF! Naturally occurring GMF, the difference between EU and USA in regulations regarding GMF, how GMF are produces, and how GMF can be thwarted from obstructing nature.
Dr. Sawalha has indicated the urgent need for regulations to be set in Arab countries, including Palestine, in regards to GMF. Also, the product label should indicate whether a certain food contains GMF or its derivatives. She also emphasized that regulations regarding GMF should be based on scientific knowledge separate from politics and finance. Dr. Sawalha mentioned that there is much fear by environmentalists concerning this rapidly growing technology. Toxicologists are concerned about the short and long term side effects that could result from GMF, including previously unknown side effects. Toxicological risk assessment is another aspect to consider and people’s perception of risk should never be ignored.
At the end, participants agreed to have a similar conference every year in Jordan and all participants will represent their countries in this event. A list of recommendations was generated that will be circled to all interested individuals and institutions.