United Nations Earth Summit+5 - Biosafety Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS)

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997
PROGRAMME FACT SHEETS

Biosafety Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS)

Responsible Organization(s) UNIDO, Investment and Technology Promotion Division, Technology Service

Description BINAS is a technical assistance service providing Government Authorities in developing countries advice on the formulation of biosafety regulations/guidelines; it is a comprehensive data resource for biotechnology regulations, methodologies for the assessment of biological risks arising from the development, handling and commercialization of genetically modified organisms and products thereof. BINAS also provides advanced training in biological risk assessment, genetic resource management and bioinformatics.

Issues addressed BINAS addresses issues related to Chapter 16 of Agenda 21 through the provision of services and enabling mechanisms for the sound management of environmental applications of biotechnology.

Objectives BINAS is intended to facilitate regulatory harmonisation in biotechnology and assessment of biological risks through referral to and cross correlation of national regulations and scientific data pertaining to the development and interactions of genetically modified organisms with the environment.

Results achieved Co-operation with OECD has resulted in a joint UNIDO/OECD Internet resource on Regulatory Issues in Biotechnology.
Major publications including the

International Voluntary Code of Conduct for the Release of Genetically Modified Organisms
Genetically Modified Organisms: A Guide to Biosafety
Twelve (12 international courses in Biological Risk Assessment and Biodiversity Management over the last four (4) years. Over 280 trainees from 54 developing, as well as industrialized, countries.
Establishment of a Task Force for Regulatory Harmonization in Biotechnology in Central and Eastern Europe.

Lessons learned Interagency co-operation and pooling of resources is necessary to maximize impacts.

Financing Initial funding to establish the Service from a special purpose contribution of the Norwegian Government. UNIDO's own resources for the operation of the Service.

Contact UNIDO, Investment and Technology Promotion Division, Technology Service, Vienna A
Tel. (0034 1) 21131
Fax. (0043 1) 232 156

Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
1 November 1997

	Biosafety Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS)
	Responsible Organization(s)	UNIDO, Investment and Technology Promotion Division, Technology Service
	Description	BINAS is a technical assistance service providing Government Authorities in developing countries advice on the formulation of biosafety regulations/guidelines; it is a comprehensive data resource for biotechnology regulations, methodologies for the assessment of biological risks arising from the development, handling and commercialization of genetically modified organisms and products thereof. BINAS also provides advanced training in biological risk assessment, genetic resource management and bioinformatics.
	Issues addressed	BINAS addresses issues related to Chapter 16 of Agenda 21 through the provision of services and enabling mechanisms for the sound management of environmental applications of biotechnology.
	Objectives	BINAS is intended to facilitate regulatory harmonisation in biotechnology and assessment of biological risks through referral to and cross correlation of national regulations and scientific data pertaining to the development and interactions of genetically modified organisms with the environment.
	Results achieved	Co-operation with OECD has resulted in a joint UNIDO/OECD Internet resource on Regulatory Issues in Biotechnology. Major publications including the International Voluntary Code of Conduct for the Release of Genetically Modified Organisms Genetically Modified Organisms: A Guide to Biosafety Twelve (12 international courses in Biological Risk Assessment and Biodiversity Management over the last four (4) years. Over 280 trainees from 54 developing, as well as industrialized, countries. Establishment of a Task Force for Regulatory Harmonization in Biotechnology in Central and Eastern Europe.
	Lessons learned	Interagency co-operation and pooling of resources is necessary to maximize impacts.
	Financing	Initial funding to establish the Service from a special purpose contribution of the Norwegian Government. UNIDO's own resources for the operation of the Service.
	Contact	UNIDO, Investment and Technology Promotion Division, Technology Service, Vienna A Tel. (0034 1) 21131 Fax. (0043 1) 232 156