RIYADH, 9 October — Minister of Commerce Osama Faqeeh will inaugurate a major scientific seminar on genetically modified foods (GMF) here today.
The two-day event, the first of its kind being organized by the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO), will discuss the way GM food is produced and the controversy concerning its safety and economic and environmental impact, said Dr. Khaled Al-Khalaf, SASO’s director general here yesterday.
He said the seminar will also talk about international, regional and national regulations that govern the production and use of the genetically modified foods.
He said that the move to hold this seminar is significant as the attitudes of different countries and scientific institutions on this technology is still ambiguous and yet to be harmonized.
The Kingdom’s wish to hold this event is to create awareness about the whole issue of GM food, which will be discussed within the framework of the divergent approaches of the European Union and the US toward the introduction and marketing of genetically modified foods and seeds.
A number of local and international scientific organizations, chambers of commerce, universities and international agencies will participate in the event at the SASO auditorium.
