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To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00534.x Byline: RYAN HILL ([dagger]*), CYRIE SENDASHONGA ([dagger]) Keywords: Cartagena Protocol; Convention on Biological Diversity; genetically engineered organisms; living modified organisms; transgenic organisms Abstract: Abstract: Concerns have been raised regarding the potential adverse effects on biological diversity of the use of living modified organisms (LMOs, which are commonly known by similar terms such as genetically modified organisms). At the international level these concerns are addressed in part by an agreement known as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and include potential toxic effects of insect-resistant crops on nontarget organisms and potential ecological effects of gene flow from modified crops, fish, microorganisms, or insects to wild species or counterparts. We reviewed the protocol's main provisions, including those dealing with risk assessment and risk management, decision making on imports, documentation accompanying shipments, and liability resulting from damages caused by LMOs. A medium-term program of work has been adopted by the parties, which includes the potential contribution of conservation biologists to delivering capacity building, developing risk assessment guidance, evaluating mechanisms of potential ecological damages from LMOs, and other issues. Conservation biologists and other experts have opportunities to influence the negotiations and implementation of the protocol by providing inputs at meetings, offering expertise to governments and organizations, and participating in or developing relevant projects and initiatives. Involvement of conservation biologists in the implementation and further development of the protocol would contribute to its effectiveness. Abstract (Spanish): Biologia de la Conservacion, Organismos Geneticamente Modificados y el Protocolo de Bioseguridad Resumen: Hay gran preocupacion en relacion con los potenciales efectos adversos del uso de organismos vivos modificados (OVMs que son conocidos comunmente con terminos como organismos geneticamente modificados) sobre la diversidad biologica. A nivel internacional, estas preocupaciones son atendidas parcialmente por un acuerdo conocido como el Protocolo de Cartagena sobre Bioseguridad e incluyen los potenciales efectos toxicos de cultivos resistentes a plagas sobre otros organismos y los potenciales efectos ecologicos del flujo genico de cultivos, peces, microorganismos o insectos modificados hacia especies silvestres. Revisamos las principales clausulas del protocolo, incluyendo las relacionadas con la evaluacion y gestion de riesgos, la toma de decisiones relacionadas con importaciones, la documentacion que acompana a los envios y la responsabilidad resultante de danos causados por OVMs. Los firmantes del protocolo han adoptado un programa de trabajo a mediano plazo que incluye la potencial contribucion de biologos de la conservacion para la capacitacion, el desarrollo de directrices para la evaluacion de danos y de mecanismos de evaluacion de danos ecologicos potenciales de los OVMs y otros temas. Los biologos de la conservacion y otros expertos tienen la oportunidad de influir en las negociaciones e implementacion del protocolo proporcionando insumos en las reuniones, ofreciendo su conocimiento a gobiernos y organizaciones y participando en o desarrollando proyectos e iniciativas. La participacion de biologos de la conservacion en la implementacion y subsiguiente desarrollo del protocolo contribuiria a su eficacia. Author Affiliation: ([dagger])Secretariat of the Convention Biological Diversity, 413 St. Jacques Street, Suite 800, Montreal, Quebec H2Y1N9 Canada Article History: Paper submitted September 11, 2005; revised manuscript accepted March 20, 2006. Article note: (*) email ryan.hill@biodiv.org