Whether we talk about genetic modified, gene-edited organisms, novel foods, or DNA sequence screening, the principle is the same: farmers, consumers, and regulators all need trusted, science-based information and clear rules. International standards help us turn complex biotechnology into practical, transparent systems that protect people while enabling the innovations needed for a food-secure future.

Rhodora Romero-Aldemita is Executive Director of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) Inc. and Director of its Global Knowledge Center on Biotechnology, based at IRRI in Los Baños, Philippines. ISAAA supports and develops transformative technology information on crops, animals, microbes, novel foods and human health; fosters impactful partnerships across Asia and beyond; and facilitates the development of science-based policies toward food-secure communitites.

A crop scientist by training, Dr. Romero-Aldemita has decades of experience in agricultural biotechnology, with expertise spanning plant molecular biology, rice genetic engineering, and science communication on GM and gene-edited crops.

Dr Romero-Aldemita holds a PhD in Botany from Purdue University and MSc and BSc degrees in agriculture from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Her Postdoctoral fellowship was conducted at Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany on GM Golden Rice (beta-carotene enriched rice. Her current work focuses on providing evidence-based information, capacity building, knowledge management, and policy support through policy briefs, knowledge platforms, and webinars on topics such as animal biotechnology, gene-edited products, and novel foods—supporting science-based, fit-for-purpose regulatory frameworks globally.