Open-ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment (2025-2026) - Week 1: 21 to 28 April
During the first week, the 5 topics indicated in the Table of Contents below will be discussed.
The forum will be moderated by: Ms. Ana Laura Mello from Uruguay and Ms. Anita Anthonysamy from Malaysia.
Participants are requested to keep in mind the process for the identification and prioritization of specific issues of risk assessment of living modified organisms that may warrant consideration contained within annex I to decision CP-9/13.
When posting this information, participants are requested to provide their source of information, indicating if it is coming from a publication, their own work, or other type of source. When sharing publications, it is kindly requested that the URL and DOI links be provided.
The discussions will open on Monday 21 April 2025 at 12 (noon) EDT (Montreal time).
The discussions will close on Monday 28 April 2025 at 11 a.m. EDT (Montreal time).
Tables des matières
1. Living modified algae
Mr Austein McLoughlin,
SCBD#12255
SCBD#12255
il y a un anil y a un an
Posted on behalf of Ms. Ana Laura Mello
Welcome to the first week of the Open-Ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
My name is Ana Laura Mello, I am a biologist with a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, currently working in the Uruguayan Ministry of Environment. In the last 10 years, I have been involved in different areas of the National Biosafety System of Uruguay representing the Ministry of Environment, including participation in plant GMOs risk assessments. Also, I am Uruguay’s BCH and SBSTTA Focal Point and member of the SBSTTA Bureau representing GRULAC region.
I have the honour of being the co-moderator of this forum and I look forward to providing support and guidance to the discussions.
Parties have identified 15 topics in total as being priorities. My Co-moderator and I have worked with the Secretariat to compile the topics in a manner that facilitates our further reflections on the topics. Thus, to organize the forum discussions, we will discuss five topics for the period of a week. As such, I will be moderating the threads on living modified algae and living modified fish during this first week. Under this thread, we will be discussing living modified algae.
To complement the information submitted by the Parties, I would like to focus the discussions around the following questions:
1. How does this topic potentially pose challenges to the existing risk assessment frameworks, guidance and methodologies? Do solutions exist?
2. What could be the specific challenges to related to this issue?
3. What are the specific issues concerning this topic?
(i) Is there the potential to cause adverse effects on biodiversity, in particular those that are serious or irreversible, taking into account the urgent need to protect specific aspects of biodiversity, such as an endemic/rare species or a unique habitat or ecosystem, taking into account risks to human health and the value of biological diversity to indigenous peoples and local communities?
(ii) Is there the potential to have an introduction into the environment either deliberately or accidentally?
(iii) Is there the potential to disseminate across national borders?
(iv) Is the LMO already, or are likely to be, commercialized or in use somewhere in the world?
4. Are there existing resources on similar issues that can address this issue or resources that could be adapted to address this need?
When providing information and to support the synthesis, kindly indicate which of the questions information is provided for.
Given the volume of topics to be discussed, there will not be the possibility to extend the online forum. So, I kindly invite you to contribute before the close on Monday 28 April 2025 11 a.m. EDT.
I wish you all productive and fruitful discussions.
Ana Laura Mello
Welcome to the first week of the Open-Ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
My name is Ana Laura Mello, I am a biologist with a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, currently working in the Uruguayan Ministry of Environment. In the last 10 years, I have been involved in different areas of the National Biosafety System of Uruguay representing the Ministry of Environment, including participation in plant GMOs risk assessments. Also, I am Uruguay’s BCH and SBSTTA Focal Point and member of the SBSTTA Bureau representing GRULAC region.
I have the honour of being the co-moderator of this forum and I look forward to providing support and guidance to the discussions.
Parties have identified 15 topics in total as being priorities. My Co-moderator and I have worked with the Secretariat to compile the topics in a manner that facilitates our further reflections on the topics. Thus, to organize the forum discussions, we will discuss five topics for the period of a week. As such, I will be moderating the threads on living modified algae and living modified fish during this first week. Under this thread, we will be discussing living modified algae.
To complement the information submitted by the Parties, I would like to focus the discussions around the following questions:
1. How does this topic potentially pose challenges to the existing risk assessment frameworks, guidance and methodologies? Do solutions exist?
2. What could be the specific challenges to related to this issue?
3. What are the specific issues concerning this topic?
(i) Is there the potential to cause adverse effects on biodiversity, in particular those that are serious or irreversible, taking into account the urgent need to protect specific aspects of biodiversity, such as an endemic/rare species or a unique habitat or ecosystem, taking into account risks to human health and the value of biological diversity to indigenous peoples and local communities?
(ii) Is there the potential to have an introduction into the environment either deliberately or accidentally?
(iii) Is there the potential to disseminate across national borders?
(iv) Is the LMO already, or are likely to be, commercialized or in use somewhere in the world?
4. Are there existing resources on similar issues that can address this issue or resources that could be adapted to address this need?
When providing information and to support the synthesis, kindly indicate which of the questions information is provided for.
Given the volume of topics to be discussed, there will not be the possibility to extend the online forum. So, I kindly invite you to contribute before the close on Monday 28 April 2025 11 a.m. EDT.
I wish you all productive and fruitful discussions.
Ana Laura Mello
2. Living modified animals
Mr Austein McLoughlin,
SCBD#12256
SCBD#12256
il y a un anil y a un an
Posted on behalf of Ms. Anita Anthonysamy
Welcome to the first week of the Open-Ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
My name is Anita Anthonysamy. My educational background is Plant Biotechnology and Public Administration. I have been working with the Department of Biosafety in Malaysia for 15 years. I have participated in risk assessments and risk management conducted in Malaysia. I am the Biosafety Clearing House Focal Point and the FAO GM Foods Platform Focal Point for Malaysia.
I have the honour of being the co-moderator of this forum and I look forward to providing support and guidance to the discussions.
Parties have identified 15 topics in total as being priorities. My Co-moderator and I have worked with the Secretariat to compile the topics in a manner that facilitates our further reflections on the topics. Thus, to organize the forum discussions, we will discuss five topics for the period of a week. As such, I will be moderating the threads on LM animals, LM microorganisms and LMOs containing stacked events during this first week. Under this thread, we will be discussing LM animals.
To complement the information submitted by the Parties, I would like to focus the discussions around the following questions:
1. How does this topic potentially pose challenges to the existing risk assessment frameworks, guidance and methodologies? Do solutions exist?
2. What could be the specific challenges to related to this issue?
3. What are the specific issues concerning this topic?
(i) Is there the potential to cause adverse effects on biodiversity, in particular those that are serious or irreversible, taking into account the urgent need to protect specific aspects of biodiversity, such as an endemic/rare species or a unique habitat or ecosystem, taking into account risks to human health and the value of biological diversity to indigenous peoples and local communities?
(ii) Is there the potential to have an introduction into the environment either deliberately or accidentally?
(iii) Is there the potential to disseminate across national borders?
(iv) Is the LMO already, or are likely to be, commercialized or in use somewhere in the world?
4. Are there existing resources on similar issues that can address this issue or resources that could be adapted to address this need?
When providing information and to support the synthesis, kindly indicate which of the questions information is provided for.
Given the volume of topics to be discussed, there will not be the possibility to extend the online forum. So, I kindly invite you to contribute before the close on Monday 28 April 2025 11 a.m. EDT.
I wish you all productive and fruitful discussions.
Anita Anthonysamy
Welcome to the first week of the Open-Ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
My name is Anita Anthonysamy. My educational background is Plant Biotechnology and Public Administration. I have been working with the Department of Biosafety in Malaysia for 15 years. I have participated in risk assessments and risk management conducted in Malaysia. I am the Biosafety Clearing House Focal Point and the FAO GM Foods Platform Focal Point for Malaysia.
I have the honour of being the co-moderator of this forum and I look forward to providing support and guidance to the discussions.
Parties have identified 15 topics in total as being priorities. My Co-moderator and I have worked with the Secretariat to compile the topics in a manner that facilitates our further reflections on the topics. Thus, to organize the forum discussions, we will discuss five topics for the period of a week. As such, I will be moderating the threads on LM animals, LM microorganisms and LMOs containing stacked events during this first week. Under this thread, we will be discussing LM animals.
To complement the information submitted by the Parties, I would like to focus the discussions around the following questions:
1. How does this topic potentially pose challenges to the existing risk assessment frameworks, guidance and methodologies? Do solutions exist?
2. What could be the specific challenges to related to this issue?
3. What are the specific issues concerning this topic?
(i) Is there the potential to cause adverse effects on biodiversity, in particular those that are serious or irreversible, taking into account the urgent need to protect specific aspects of biodiversity, such as an endemic/rare species or a unique habitat or ecosystem, taking into account risks to human health and the value of biological diversity to indigenous peoples and local communities?
(ii) Is there the potential to have an introduction into the environment either deliberately or accidentally?
(iii) Is there the potential to disseminate across national borders?
(iv) Is the LMO already, or are likely to be, commercialized or in use somewhere in the world?
4. Are there existing resources on similar issues that can address this issue or resources that could be adapted to address this need?
When providing information and to support the synthesis, kindly indicate which of the questions information is provided for.
Given the volume of topics to be discussed, there will not be the possibility to extend the online forum. So, I kindly invite you to contribute before the close on Monday 28 April 2025 11 a.m. EDT.
I wish you all productive and fruitful discussions.
Anita Anthonysamy
3. Living modified fish
Mr Austein McLoughlin,
SCBD#12257
SCBD#12257
il y a un anil y a un an
Posted on behalf of Ms. Ana Laura Mello
Welcome to the first week of the Open-Ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
My name is Ana Laura Mello, I am a biologist with a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, currently working in the Uruguayan Ministry of Environment. In the last 10 years, I have been involved in different areas of the National Biosafety System of Uruguay representing the Ministry of Environment, including participation in plant GMOs risk assessments. Also, I am Uruguay’s BCH and SBSTTA Focal Point and member of the SBSTTA Bureau representing GRULAC region.
I have the honour of being the co-moderator of this forum and I look forward to providing support and guidance to the discussions.
Parties have identified 15 topics in total as being priorities. My Co-moderator and I have worked with the Secretariat to compile the topics in a manner that facilitates our further reflections on the topics. Thus, to organize the forum discussions, we will discuss five topics for the period of a week. As such, I will be moderating the threads on living modified algae and living modified fish during this first week. Under this thread, we will be discussing living modified fish.
To complement the information submitted by the Parties, I would like to focus the discussions around the following questions:
1. How does this topic potentially pose challenges to the existing risk assessment frameworks, guidance and methodologies? Do solutions exist?
2. What could be the specific challenges to related to this issue?
3. What are the specific issues concerning this topic?
(i) Is there the potential to cause adverse effects on biodiversity, in particular those that are serious or irreversible, taking into account the urgent need to protect specific aspects of biodiversity, such as an endemic/rare species or a unique habitat or ecosystem, taking into account risks to human health and the value of biological diversity to indigenous peoples and local communities?
(ii) Is there the potential to have an introduction into the environment either deliberately or accidentally?
(iii) Is there the potential to disseminate across national borders?
(iv) Is the LMO already, or are likely to be, commercialized or in use somewhere in the world?
4. Are there existing resources on similar issues that can address this issue or resources that could be adapted to address this need?
When providing information and to support the synthesis, kindly indicate which of the questions information is provided for.
Given the volume of topics to be discussed, there will not be the possibility to extend the online forum. So, I kindly invite you to contribute before the close on Monday 28 April 2025 11 a.m. EDT.
I wish you all productive and fruitful discussions.
Ana Laura Mello
Welcome to the first week of the Open-Ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
My name is Ana Laura Mello, I am a biologist with a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, currently working in the Uruguayan Ministry of Environment. In the last 10 years, I have been involved in different areas of the National Biosafety System of Uruguay representing the Ministry of Environment, including participation in plant GMOs risk assessments. Also, I am Uruguay’s BCH and SBSTTA Focal Point and member of the SBSTTA Bureau representing GRULAC region.
I have the honour of being the co-moderator of this forum and I look forward to providing support and guidance to the discussions.
Parties have identified 15 topics in total as being priorities. My Co-moderator and I have worked with the Secretariat to compile the topics in a manner that facilitates our further reflections on the topics. Thus, to organize the forum discussions, we will discuss five topics for the period of a week. As such, I will be moderating the threads on living modified algae and living modified fish during this first week. Under this thread, we will be discussing living modified fish.
To complement the information submitted by the Parties, I would like to focus the discussions around the following questions:
1. How does this topic potentially pose challenges to the existing risk assessment frameworks, guidance and methodologies? Do solutions exist?
2. What could be the specific challenges to related to this issue?
3. What are the specific issues concerning this topic?
(i) Is there the potential to cause adverse effects on biodiversity, in particular those that are serious or irreversible, taking into account the urgent need to protect specific aspects of biodiversity, such as an endemic/rare species or a unique habitat or ecosystem, taking into account risks to human health and the value of biological diversity to indigenous peoples and local communities?
(ii) Is there the potential to have an introduction into the environment either deliberately or accidentally?
(iii) Is there the potential to disseminate across national borders?
(iv) Is the LMO already, or are likely to be, commercialized or in use somewhere in the world?
4. Are there existing resources on similar issues that can address this issue or resources that could be adapted to address this need?
When providing information and to support the synthesis, kindly indicate which of the questions information is provided for.
Given the volume of topics to be discussed, there will not be the possibility to extend the online forum. So, I kindly invite you to contribute before the close on Monday 28 April 2025 11 a.m. EDT.
I wish you all productive and fruitful discussions.
Ana Laura Mello
4. Living modified microorganisms
Mr Austein McLoughlin,
SCBD#12258
SCBD#12258
il y a un anil y a un an
Posted on behalf of Ms. Anita Anthonysamy
Welcome to the first week of the Open-Ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
My name is Anita Anthonysamy. My educational background is Plant Biotechnology and Public Administration. I have been working with the Department of Biosafety in Malaysia for 15 years. I have participated in risk assessments and risk management conducted in Malaysia. I am the Biosafety Clearing House Focal Point and the FAO GM Foods Platform Focal Point for Malaysia.
I have the honour of being the co-moderator of this forum and I look forward to providing support and guidance to the discussions.
Parties have identified 15 topics in total as being priorities. My Co-moderator and I have worked with the Secretariat to compile the topics in a manner that facilitates our further reflections on the topics. Thus, to organize the forum discussions, we will discuss five topics for the period of a week. As such, I will be moderating the threads on LM animals, LM microorganisms and LMOs containing stacked events during this first week. Under this thread, we will be discussing LM microorganisms.
To complement the information submitted by the Parties, I would like to focus the discussions around the following questions:
1. How does this topic potentially pose challenges to the existing risk assessment frameworks, guidance and methodologies? Do solutions exist?
2. What could be the specific challenges to related to this issue?
3. What are the specific issues concerning this topic?
(i) Is there the potential to cause adverse effects on biodiversity, in particular those that are serious or irreversible, taking into account the urgent need to protect specific aspects of biodiversity, such as an endemic/rare species or a unique habitat or ecosystem, taking into account risks to human health and the value of biological diversity to indigenous peoples and local communities?
(ii) Is there the potential to have an introduction into the environment either deliberately or accidentally?
(iii) Is there the potential to disseminate across national borders?
(iv) Is the LMO already, or are likely to be, commercialized or in use somewhere in the world?
4. Are there existing resources on similar issues that can address this issue or resources that could be adapted to address this need?
When providing information and to support the synthesis, kindly indicate which of the questions information is provided for. In addition, since the specific use of LM microorganisms in bioremediation was indicated as a priority in the submissions, I would also appreciate if participants could share information specific to those bioremediation applications as well.
Given the volume of topics to be discussed, there will not be the possibility to extend the online forum. So, I kindly invite you to contribute before the close on Monday 28 April 2025 11 a.m. EDT.
I wish you all productive and fruitful discussions.
Anita Anthonysamy
Welcome to the first week of the Open-Ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
My name is Anita Anthonysamy. My educational background is Plant Biotechnology and Public Administration. I have been working with the Department of Biosafety in Malaysia for 15 years. I have participated in risk assessments and risk management conducted in Malaysia. I am the Biosafety Clearing House Focal Point and the FAO GM Foods Platform Focal Point for Malaysia.
I have the honour of being the co-moderator of this forum and I look forward to providing support and guidance to the discussions.
Parties have identified 15 topics in total as being priorities. My Co-moderator and I have worked with the Secretariat to compile the topics in a manner that facilitates our further reflections on the topics. Thus, to organize the forum discussions, we will discuss five topics for the period of a week. As such, I will be moderating the threads on LM animals, LM microorganisms and LMOs containing stacked events during this first week. Under this thread, we will be discussing LM microorganisms.
To complement the information submitted by the Parties, I would like to focus the discussions around the following questions:
1. How does this topic potentially pose challenges to the existing risk assessment frameworks, guidance and methodologies? Do solutions exist?
2. What could be the specific challenges to related to this issue?
3. What are the specific issues concerning this topic?
(i) Is there the potential to cause adverse effects on biodiversity, in particular those that are serious or irreversible, taking into account the urgent need to protect specific aspects of biodiversity, such as an endemic/rare species or a unique habitat or ecosystem, taking into account risks to human health and the value of biological diversity to indigenous peoples and local communities?
(ii) Is there the potential to have an introduction into the environment either deliberately or accidentally?
(iii) Is there the potential to disseminate across national borders?
(iv) Is the LMO already, or are likely to be, commercialized or in use somewhere in the world?
4. Are there existing resources on similar issues that can address this issue or resources that could be adapted to address this need?
When providing information and to support the synthesis, kindly indicate which of the questions information is provided for. In addition, since the specific use of LM microorganisms in bioremediation was indicated as a priority in the submissions, I would also appreciate if participants could share information specific to those bioremediation applications as well.
Given the volume of topics to be discussed, there will not be the possibility to extend the online forum. So, I kindly invite you to contribute before the close on Monday 28 April 2025 11 a.m. EDT.
I wish you all productive and fruitful discussions.
Anita Anthonysamy
5. Living modified organisms containing stacked events
Mr Austein McLoughlin,
SCBD#12259
SCBD#12259
il y a un anil y a un an
Posted on behalf of Ms. Anita Anthonysamy
Welcome to the first week of the Open-Ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
My name is Anita Anthonysamy. My educational background is Plant Biotechnology and Public Administration. I have been working with the Department of Biosafety in Malaysia for 15 years. I have participated in risk assessments and risk management conducted in Malaysia. I am the Biosafety Clearing House Focal Point and the FAO GM Foods Platform Focal Point for Malaysia.
I have the honour of being the co-moderator of this forum and I look forward to providing support and guidance to the discussions.
Parties have identified 15 topics in total as being priorities. My Co-moderator and I have worked with the Secretariat to compile the topics in a manner that facilitates our further reflections on the topics. Thus, to organize the forum discussions, we will discuss five topics for the period of a week. As such, I will be moderating the threads on LM animals, LM microorganisms and LMOs containing stacked events during this first week. Under this thread, we will be discussing LMOs containing stacked events.
To complement the information submitted by the Parties, I would like to focus the discussions around the following questions:
1. How does this topic potentially pose challenges to the existing risk assessment frameworks, guidance and methodologies? Do solutions exist?
2. What could be the specific challenges to related to this issue?
3. What are the specific issues concerning this topic?
(i) Is there the potential to cause adverse effects on biodiversity, in particular those that are serious or irreversible, taking into account the urgent need to protect specific aspects of biodiversity, such as an endemic/rare species or a unique habitat or ecosystem, taking into account risks to human health and the value of biological diversity to indigenous peoples and local communities?
(ii) Is there the potential to have an introduction into the environment either deliberately or accidentally?
(iii) Is there the potential to disseminate across national borders?
(iv) Is the LMO already, or are likely to be, commercialized or in use somewhere in the world?
4. Are there existing resources on similar issues that can address this issue or resources that could be adapted to address this need?
When providing information and to support the synthesis, kindly indicate which of the questions information is provided for.
Given the volume of topics to be discussed, there will not be the possibility to extend the online forum. So, I kindly invite you to contribute before the close on Monday 28 April 2025 11 a.m. EDT.
I wish you all productive and fruitful discussions.
Anita Anthonysamy
Welcome to the first week of the Open-Ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
My name is Anita Anthonysamy. My educational background is Plant Biotechnology and Public Administration. I have been working with the Department of Biosafety in Malaysia for 15 years. I have participated in risk assessments and risk management conducted in Malaysia. I am the Biosafety Clearing House Focal Point and the FAO GM Foods Platform Focal Point for Malaysia.
I have the honour of being the co-moderator of this forum and I look forward to providing support and guidance to the discussions.
Parties have identified 15 topics in total as being priorities. My Co-moderator and I have worked with the Secretariat to compile the topics in a manner that facilitates our further reflections on the topics. Thus, to organize the forum discussions, we will discuss five topics for the period of a week. As such, I will be moderating the threads on LM animals, LM microorganisms and LMOs containing stacked events during this first week. Under this thread, we will be discussing LMOs containing stacked events.
To complement the information submitted by the Parties, I would like to focus the discussions around the following questions:
1. How does this topic potentially pose challenges to the existing risk assessment frameworks, guidance and methodologies? Do solutions exist?
2. What could be the specific challenges to related to this issue?
3. What are the specific issues concerning this topic?
(i) Is there the potential to cause adverse effects on biodiversity, in particular those that are serious or irreversible, taking into account the urgent need to protect specific aspects of biodiversity, such as an endemic/rare species or a unique habitat or ecosystem, taking into account risks to human health and the value of biological diversity to indigenous peoples and local communities?
(ii) Is there the potential to have an introduction into the environment either deliberately or accidentally?
(iii) Is there the potential to disseminate across national borders?
(iv) Is the LMO already, or are likely to be, commercialized or in use somewhere in the world?
4. Are there existing resources on similar issues that can address this issue or resources that could be adapted to address this need?
When providing information and to support the synthesis, kindly indicate which of the questions information is provided for.
Given the volume of topics to be discussed, there will not be the possibility to extend the online forum. So, I kindly invite you to contribute before the close on Monday 28 April 2025 11 a.m. EDT.
I wish you all productive and fruitful discussions.
Anita Anthonysamy
