Abstract
Modern biotechnology has developed to a very high extent, nowadays. It was widely used in many fields of practices, such as medicine, agriculture, or environment. This technology has assisted in creating many innovative creations, e.g., various kinds of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), especially GM plants, for example, herbicide-resistant and pest-resistant plants. The advancement of biotechnology in terms of producing genetically modified organisms has been a subject of concern of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which Thailand is one of its members. Article 8 (g) of the Convention stipulates that there shall be a means to regulate, manage or control the risks associated with the use and release of living modified organisms resulting from biotechnology which are likely to have adverse environmental impacts that could affect the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account the risks to human health. In this respect, Thailand has not yet had a particular legal instrument to regulate living modified or genetically modified organisms, whereas on the international level there has been an establishment of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to oversee aspects under Article 8(g) of the CBD, and many countries, such as the USA, European Union, and Australia have already enacted laws that govern biosafety issues. Thailand, therefore, is on the way of utilizing those existing laws as models or patterns to establish the law on biosafety of the country.
