Advancing biosafety for sustainable bio-innovation: Insights from the 17th and 18th ISBR Symposia

Biotechnology is advancing rapidly across research, agriculture, industry, healthcare, and environmental applications, creating significant opportunities for sustainable development alongside new biosafety challenges. Emerging technologies, including advanced genetic engineering and other innovative biological approaches, raise important questions about risk identification, assessment, management, and communication. Current research and regulatory discussions increasingly emphasize the need for evidence-based approaches that can address uncertainty, support responsible innovation, and maintain public trust. However, differences in regulatory frameworks, assessment methodologies, stakeholder perspectives, and communication practices continue to create knowledge gaps and implementation challenges. The 17th and 18th Symposia of the International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR) provided a forum for examining these developments and identifying priorities for future research, regulation, and policy.This Research Topic aims to advance scientifically sound approaches to biosafety and sustainable bio-innovation by bringing together insights from academic, governmental, and private-sector research. It will promote the exchange of evidence, methods, and perspectives on the development and responsible use of biotechnology. Contributions may address how biosafety research can support innovation, how risks and benefits can be evaluated across diverse applications and contexts, and how regulatory and policy systems can remain adaptive while protecting human health, the environment, and society. The Research Topic also seeks to identify emerging challenges, strengthen connections between research and decision-making, and improve communication among scientists, regulators, industry, policymakers, and the public.To gather further insights into biotechnology and biosafety research presented and discussed at the 17th and 18th ISBR Symposia, this Research Topic will focus on relevant scientific, regulatory, policy, and communication perspectives. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:Cutting-edge biotechnology development and applicationsBiosafety research and innovative assessment methodologiesRisk analysis, risk governance, and uncertainty evaluationEnvironmental, health, and ecological considerationsRegulatory frameworks and adaptive governanceInternational policy and harmonization of biosafety standardsResponsible research and innovationStakeholder engagement and public communicationSocial, ethical, and societal dimensions of biotechnologyOpportunities and challenges for sustainable bio-innovationAppendix: The Research Topic welcomes publications arising from presentations, posters, and discussions at the 17th and 18th ISBR Symposia. Topic editors: Andrew F Roberts, Aparna Islam, Karen Hokanson, Joerg Romeis, Jan-Hendrik Groenewald, Ralf Alexander Wilhelm Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85211/advancing-biosafety-for-sustainable-bio-innovation-insights-from-the-17th-and-18th-isbr-symposia