World Technology Access Program

Dates: Aug 2 - 16, 2025
Application deadline: May 31, 2025
Download: Brochure (pdf)
Register: Registration form
(Contact the program manager for the fee.)

Program Rationale

An exciting wave of discoveries in biotechnology is revolutionizing agriculture worldwide. Globally, countries are trying to increase the productivity and profitability of the agricultural sector of their economies to feed the growing populations and increase the quality of life for millions of people. These goals must be achieved through practices that sustain those gains while protecting the environment and human health, and conserving biodiversity and other natural resources.

The use, deployment and importation of products of modern biotechnology, however, have raised a number of regulatory issues related to risk/benefit analysis associated with environment and human health. This requires an integrated approach towards the use and management of biotechnology so that science and regulations can co-evolve and society can benefit from modern biotechnology. The integrated approach to biotechnology management should include research, policy, regulations, technology transfer, commercialization, and communication aspects.

Education and awareness on various aspects of agricultural biotechnology including environmental biosafety and food safety issues will help assist government agencies and various stakeholders make informed decisions on genetically engineered and gene edited crops and products. This program is designed to help participants better understand various issues surrounding the use and management of agricultural biotechnology globally.

Program Description

Michigan State University (MSU) is recognized as a center of excellence in international agricultural development and training. MSU has emerged as a leader among U.S. Land Grant institutions in building capacity in biotechnology research and management around the globe to enhance food and nutritional security, environmental quality, and economic development. MSU partners with public and private institutions to offer a two-week program in agricultural biotechnology. This training program focuses on biotechnology research, policies and regulations, management, and public outreach components as well as biotechnology related trade issues.

The Program draws from firmly established working relationships with government agencies, industry leaders, MSU faculty specialists, MSU research stations, other US universities, farmer groups, commodity and consumer groups, international development organizations and NGOs that are supportive of biotechnology research and development globally. This uniquely diverse training program takes an interactive and participatory approach. In addition, the program will foster linkages and provide opportunities for networking among participants to exchange their experiences and establish regional and global collaborations.

Program Components

• Applications of biotechnology in agriculture and global overview of biotechnology.
• Biotechnology research and development in U.S.
• Biotechnology policies and regulatory framework in a national and global context: environmental biosafety, biodiversity, and food safety.
• Environmental and food safety issues associated with GE crops.
• Greenhouse, confined field trials and multi-location trials of GE crops.
• Commercialization and stewardship of GE crops.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), technology transfer and commercialization of biotechnology.
• Public-private sector partnerships.
• Socio-economic impacts of biotechnology.
• Biotechnology and international trade.
• Adoption/acceptance of new technology.
• Consumer acceptance, public perception, and communication in biotechnology.
• Field visits to farmers growing biotechnology crops.
• Information and training resources in agricultural biotechnology.

For more information and registration, please contact:

• Dr. Karim M. Maredia, kmaredia@msu.edu

Global Resources

1. ISAAA – International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Philippines.
2. AfricaBio – an independent non-profit organization, Pretoria, South Africa.
3. NEPAD/ABNE – African Biosafety Network of Expertise, Dakar, Senegal.
4. MSU/WorldTAP – World Technology Access Program, Michigan, USA.
5. IPBO – International Plant Biotechnology Outreach, Ghent, Belgium.
6. ETS – Excellence Through Stewardship, industry sponsored organization, Washington, D.C., USA.
7. ICGEB – International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy.
8. PBS – Program for Biosafety Systems, Washington, D.C., USA.
9. AATF – African Agricultural Technology Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya.
10. AgBioWorld, Tuskegee University, USA.
11. OFAB – Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology, Nairobi, Kenya.
12. CAfS – Cornell Alliance for Science, Ithaca, New York, USA.
13. CLI – CropLife International, Washington, D.C., USA.
14. GMO Answers – an industry sponsored service, USA.
15. UBIC – Uganda BioSciecnes Information Center, Namulonge, Uganda.
16. BIO – Biotechnology Industry Organization, Washington, D.C., USA.
17. EuropaBio – Europe Biotechnology Industry Organization, Brussels, Belgium.
18. Genetic Literacy Project – a science literacy project/genetic literacy project, North Wales, Pennsylvania, USA.
19. IFIC – International Food Information Council, Washington, D.C., USA.
20. FARA – Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, Accra, Ghana.