CIBIOGEM
And its Executive Secretariat

The CIBIOGEM is an Inter-secretarial Commission that has the aim of formulating and coordinating the policies of the Federal Public Administration relative to the biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

The Commission is made up of the heads of the Ministries of Health (SSA), Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA), Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), Economy (SE) and Public Education (SEP), and the General Director of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT).

The Presidency of the Commission rotates every two years among the heads of the Secretaries of Health, SEMARNAT and SAGARPA, the three entities most directly involved in issues concerning  the use of GMOs and biosafety.

The CIBIOGEM will have an Executive Secretary appointed by the President of the Republic, and three auxiliary bodies: a Technical Committee, a Scientific Advisory Council and the Mixed Advisory Council.

¿What is the purpose of the CIBIOGEM?

Besides the coordination of national policies CIBIOGEM also coordinates federal regulation of activities related to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) such as: production, import, export, mobilization, transportation, cultivation, consumption, and general use of GMOs and their derived products.

¿What is the Executive Secretariat of the CIBIOGEM?

The Executive Secretariat, headed by the Executive Secretary, follows up, and implements all the decisions agreed within the CIBIOGEM. In addition, its role is to support the Commission for the implementation of the Law on Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms and its regulations.

¿What is the mission of the Executive Secretariat?

To promote and coordinate the actions of the entities of CIBIOGEM and their consultative bodies, in order to generate certainty in the society regarding the use and activities related to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and to propose policies and mechanisms that ensure that the products of biotechnology are used in favor of the national interest. It also aims to establish mechanisms for public participation and transparency through the National Information System on Biosafety.

The Vision of the Executive Secretariat

• To be the leading Mexican institution in biosafety of GMOs.
• To be recognized nationally and internationally for our technical knowledge and social commitment.
• To collect, organize and generate relevant and timely knowledge for decision making.
• To effectively promote the research on biosafety that may contribute to the harmonious development of the country.

¿What are the technical, scientific and social supports of CIBIOGEM?

The CIBIOGEM receives support from auxiliary bodies with the following characteristics:

Technical Committee: Formed by coordinators, general directors or their equivalent with experience in biotechnology and biosafety of GMOs from the six Secretaries and CONACYT. This committee supports the Commission's actions and may propose the creation of special subcommittees in different specific subjects.

Scientific Advisory Council: A technical and scientific council which must be consulted on aspects of modern biotechnology and biosafety of GMOs. The resulting technical recommendations are considered by CIBIOGEM in decisions that it takes. This group is composed of 13 experts of different disciplines from centres, research institutions, scientific societies and universities of recognized standing. They work in their personal capacity, regardless of the institution to which they belong. Among the functions of the Advisory Council is the development of research procedures, analysis and methodologies and technical expert advice.

Mixed Advisory Council: An auxiliary group for consultation and opinion polls of CIBIOGEM, composed of 15 association representatives, chambers or private, social, NGOs and productive sectors. Its main objective is to be informed and provide opinios on social, economic, and other aspects relating to regulatory policies, as well as opinions on the priorities of standardization of administrative procedures, improvement of administrative procedures related to biosafety of GMOs.
In addition to these three technical and advisory groups, CIBIOGEM establishes mechanisms for participation of all sectors (academic, scientific, technological, indigenous communities, social and productive), with experience in issues directly related to Biosafety. All of them are allowed to participate through opinions, studies and consultations in order to generate knowledge and elements to support public policies and promote research on biotechnology and biosafety.

Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources
and President of CIBIOGEM
c.secretario@semarnat.gob.mx

José Enrique Villa Rivera
General Director of the National Council of
Science and Technology and
Vice-President of CIBIOGEM
villa@conacyt.mx

Reynaldo Ariel Álvarez Morales
Executive Secretary of CIBIOGEM
secretario.ejecutivo@conacyt.mx

Sol Ortiz García
Technical Director for Information
and Research Support
sortiz@conacyt.mx