**2. The Cartagena protocol on biosafety**

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) was adopted on 29 January 2000 in Montreal with the holistic approach to addresses the probable threats from the transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) under the umbrella of Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 (**Figure 1**).

The term "Biosafety" describes the principles, procedures and policies to be adopted to ensure the environmental and personal safety. The convention directs its Contracting Party to take appropriate measures to regulate, manage or control the risks that may arise due to use and handling of LMOs that may pose some threats to biological and to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of LMOs. Recognising the need of biosafety in genetic engineering research, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) was adopted with the following objectives:


#### **2.1 Guidelines of CPB**

The CPB promotes biosafety through well-defined guidelines for the safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs or GMOs, with a specific focus on regulating transboundary movements of these organisms. These guidelines ensure comprehensive information to take decisions on scientifically sound risk assessments and on the precautionary approach in use of LMOs and/or GMOs.

#### **2.2 India's initiative on biosafety**

In India, Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) plays the role of the nodal ministry for implementation of Cartagena Protocol and undertakes several initiatives to meet its obligations to the Protocol. It also organised various capacity building programmes to strengthen of the regulatory framework, particularly on transboundary movement of LMOs or genetically modified organisms, risk assessment and its management, training and human resource development and information sharing.

#### **Figure 1.**

*Timeline of "The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety". Key: COP: Conference of the parties; CPB: Cartagena protocol on biosafety; IGC: Intergovernmental committee.*

*Biosafety Aspects of Genetically Modified Crops DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.101779*

Authorities for implementation of regulations and guidelines in the country [5]

