Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) is strengthening its capacity-building initiatives and strategic partnerships to tackle the shortage of skilled professionals in biosafety risk assessment and regulatory enforcement. Its Deputy Minister, Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii, emphasized the current limitations faced by the Department of Biosafety, which employs only a small number of qualified technical officers and scientists capable of evaluating the risks associated with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Huang highlighted the increasing presence of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) and GMOs due to advancements in modern biotechnology, particularly in agriculture and healthcare. This surge in biotechnology applications has led to an increased demand for biosafety evaluations, placing pressure on the limited pool of skilled professionals. The situation is further complicated by the need to assess GMO products intended for food, feed, and processing, where delays could impact food security and service delivery.
Huang announced that the ministry is reviewing the Biosafety Act 2007 to ensure it remains responsive to emerging technologies, addressing regulatory preparedness and novel products. Measures include investing in advanced screening and detection technologies, enhancing laboratory capabilities, and fostering collaboration with organizations that have the necessary capacity and expertise. Public awareness on GMO-related issues is also being prioritized.
Efforts are underway to improve inter-agency coordination, particularly in integrated surveillance, intelligence, and data sharing. The Department of Biosafety is being restructured to enhance regulatory effectiveness through human capital development. Huang noted the challenges posed by gene-editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, which create regulatory grey areas as gene-edited crops without foreign DNA are difficult to detect using conventional methods.
Malaysia, along with other ASEAN members, is encouraged to lead in harnessing biotechnology innovation responsibly, ensuring that advancements do not compromise public health, the environment, or biodiversity. The event also featured the exchange of strategic cooperation documents with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) to strengthen enforcement of the Biosafety Act 2007. This collaboration aims to enhance control over GMOs at entry points, improve officer training, and ensure integrated procedures and data sharing.