📋 Tender Overview
For gene editing technology in agriculture to come to life, the legal framework must be one step ahead, creating a solid foundation for research, application and commercialization, bringing Vietnamese agriculture to catch up with the worlds biotechnology trends. Dr. Nguyen Van Long - Director of the Department of Science and Technology (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) - Photo: VGP/Do HuongTS. Nguyen Van Long - Director of the Department of Science and Technology (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) said that the Ministry is currently urgently building and completing the legal corridor for gene editing technology, in order to promptly catch up with the trend of high-tech agricultural development. According to Dr. Long, the current key task of the Department of Science and Technology is to coordinate with the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity to clarify the concept between gene editing and genetic modification. This is an important foundation step to prepare content to edit and supplement the Law on Biodiversity, creating a legal basis for management, licensing and encouraging the application of new technology in agriculture. The Department of Science and Technology is also leading the drafting of the revised Decree related to genetically modified organisms (GMO), aiming to build a synchronous, unified and feasible legal system. We hope that scientists and media agencies will continue to accompany us so that science and technology can become a real spearhead, making an important contribution to the growth and modernization of the agricultural sector, Dr. Long said. Clearly distinguish between gene editing and genetic modification. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, full-time member of the National Assemblys Science, Technology and Environment Committee, said that it is time to institutionalize the concept of gene editing in the legal system. Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is submitting to the National Assembly a draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of 15 laws related to agriculture, including the Law on Biodiversity. However, the new draft only defines genetically modified organisms, while gene editing - a technology that is widely applied in the world - is not mentioned. Ms. Kim Anh proposed adding the concept of gene editing clearly to the Law on Biodiversity to serve as a basis for the Government to detail regulations, delineate the scope and management criteria. She also proposed expanding this content in the Law on Crop Production, the Law on Animal Husbandry and considering compatibility in the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation. This is the golden time to legislate the concept of gene editing, clearly define the responsibilities of management agencies, businesses and users, ensure transparency, convenience in management and promote innovation, Ms. Kim Anh emphasized. Professor, PhD, Academician Tran Dinh Long - Chairman of the Vietnam Plant Breeding Association - affirmed that it is necessary to clearly distinguish between gene-edited crops and genetically modified organisms, because these are two different concepts of mechanism. and impact biology. He said that one of the important steps is to establish a laboratory system of international standards at research institutes and businesses, to serve the testing, evaluation and development of gene technology products. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, full-time member of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment (National Assembly) - Photo: VGP/Do Huong Legal framework is needed first, technology followsAccording to Dr. Nguyen Quy Duong - Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection - Vietnam is currently approaching gene editing technology in an international direction, but the biggest difficulty today is the incomplete legal framework. Research is only truly meaningful when it can be put into production. To do so, the law needs to be adjusted promptly, clarifying the concept and appropriate application mechanism between gene editing and genetic modification, Mr. Duong said. He also said that our country currently does not have a system of technical standards for gene-edited varieties. Therefore, building a set of standards for evaluating, certifying quality, and designating qualified laboratories is an urgent requirement to be able to commercialize gene technology products in the near future. Labor Hero Tran Manh Bao - Chairman of the Board of Directors, General Director of ThaiBinh Seed Group - said that the lack of a clear legal framework is slowing down the process of deploying new technology. He emphasized that it is necessary to build a legal framework first, then develop a research and application system. Only when there are laws and standards will businesses boldly invest in research and form an innovation ecosystem in agriculture, Mr. Bao said. Sharing the same opinion, Dr. Tran Minh Thu - Deputy Director of Vinaseed Research Institute - said that legality is an important foundation for bringing agricultural products to the world market. She cited the example of international corporations like Bayer always spending at least 5% of their revenue on R&D research and developing new varieties for many consecutive years. Biotechnology is a long-term story, needing sustainable investment and starting with a solid legal foundation, Ms. Thu affirmed.Prof.Dr. Le Huy Ham - former Director of the Institute of Agricultural Genetics - said that in society there are still many opinions that do not clearly understand or confuse gene editing and gene mutation. He emphasized the role of the press and media in providing accurate information and helping the publicPeople correctly understand the nature and benefits of gene technology, thereby creating social consensus and supporting innovative policies. We need the cooperation of the media, science and businesses to make gene editing technology a key driving force in modern, green and sustainabl
