Last Update
20 Mac 2009 10:12

Persatuan Genetik Malaysia (Genetics Society of Malaysia) was officially registered on 29 January 1994. The primary objectives of the Society are to develop and promote scientific knowledge on genetics, to create public awareness on its importance and advancements and to foster a strong relationship and understanding between scientists in genetics and allied disciplines. Since its founding, the Society has grown significantly in terms of membership, and currently has 241 members, comprising 43 life members, 108 ordinary members and 90 student members.

The Society is now affiliated with the International Genetics Federation (IGF) and Confederation of Scientific and Technological Associations in Malaysia (COSTAM).

The Society sees great potential in the science of genetics.  More genetic technologies and products will be discovered throughout the world, giving greater impact to human and their environment in the future. In any endeavour, the Society fervently hopes to participate and contribute towards their development in the country.

Scientific Activities

Towards fulfilling its objectives, the Society has carried out a series of scientific activities in less than five years of its existence, independently and also in collaboration with others:

• The Society launched its first major activity by organizing the First National Congress on Genetics on 7-8 November, 1994

• Second National Congress on Genetics, 1996

• First Mendel Lecture by  Prof.  Bruce Holloway, 1994

• Second Mendel Lecture by Nobel Laureate Prof.  Dr. James Watson, 1996

• The Society successfully conducted six public lectures which attracted large audiences. These were delivered by distinguished scientists from local and abroad:

    Prof. Albert Sasson (UNESCO) in 1994
    Dr. Gurdev S. Khush (IRRI) in 1995
    Prof. R. B. Flavell (John Innes Institute) in 1995
    Dr. Ramli Othman (RRIM) in 1995
    Dr. N. Rajanaidu (PORIM) in 1996
    Dr. Sajise Percy (IPGRI) in 2000
    Dr. M. S. Swaminathan (Swaminathan Foundation, India) in 2000
    Prof. Francis C. Yeh (University of Alberta, Canada) in 2000

• Workshop on Biodiversity Prospecting, 1994

• Recognizing the importance of safe application of genetic technology, the Society together with UKM, organized the National Consultative Workshop on Biosafety in August, 1995

• Workshop on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources, 1997

• Academy of Sciences Malaysia Public Lecture by Nobel Laureate Dr. David Baltimore, 1997

• Third Asia Pacific Conference on Medical Genetics, 1997

• Third National Congress on Genetics, 1998

• Symposium on Genetic Resources of Borneo, 1999

• Symposium on Biology in the Next Millennium, 1999

• Workshop on Statistical Genomics, 1999

• Taxonomic Impediments: A Notional Consultative Workshop on Taxonomy and Biosystematics, 1999

• ASEAN Regional Workshop on Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), 2000

• Fourth National Congress on Genetics (2000)

• Fifth National Congress on Genetics (2003)

Communication

Communication among scientists and others at large is vital part of the advancement of science. And as a continuing effort to foster better cooperation and facilitate contact with members and non-members alike, the Society strives hard to update and publish its Membership Directory regularly.  The Society also publishes the Bulletin of the Genetics Society of Malaysia twice a year.

Publications

• Albert Sasson. 1994.  Plant Biotechnologies in Pacific Rim Developing Countries: Achievements, Cooperation and Prospects.  ISBN 967-942-302-6. 72 pages.

• Chong-Lek Koh (Ed.). 1994.  The Proceedings of The First National Congress on Genetics.  ISBN 983-9152-05-X. 248 pages.

• Gurdev S. Khush. 1995.  Role of Genetics in Alleviating World Hunger.  ISBN 983-9152-15-7. 49 pages.

• H. Zakri (Ed.). 1995.  Prospects of Biodiversity Prospecting.  ISBN 983-99037-0-5. 287 pages.

• Bruce W. Holloway. 1995.  Whole Genome Analysis: Opportunities and Obstacles.  ISBN 983-9152-20-3. 26 pages.

• Mohamad, 0., M. C. and Zulkeflie, Z. (Eds.). 1996.  The Proceedings of The Second National Congress on Genetics.  ISBN 983-99037-1-3. 462 pages.

• Saad, M.S., Faridah, Q.Z., Kadir, M.A., Khalid, M.Z.M., Mohammad, O., Saleh, G.B., and Panandam, J.M. (eds.) 2000. Genetic Manipulation Challenges and Advances. Proceedings of the 4th National Congress on Genetics. ISBN 983-99037-4-8. 430 pages.

• Membership Directory (1995).  Persatuan Genetik Malaysia/Genetics Society of Malaysia. 30 pages.

• Membership Directory (1996).  Persatuan Genetik Malaysia/ Genetics Society of Malaysia. 48 pages.

• Membership Directory (2000).  Persatuan Genetik Malaysia/ Genetics Society of Malaysia. 56 pages.

• Membership Directory (2003).  Persatuan Genetik Malaysia/ Genetics Society of Malaysia. 66 pages.

• Bulletin of The Genetics Society of Malaysia:

    Jilid 1 No. 1 Ogos 1995
    Jilid 1 No. 2 March 1996
    Jilid 2 No. 1&2 November 1996
    Jilid 3 No. 1 Mei 1997
    Jilid 3 No. 2  Nov 1997
    Jilid 4 No. 1&2 December, 1998
    Jilid 5 No. 1&2  December 1999
    Jilid 6 No. 1&2 September 2000
    Jilid 7 No. 1&2 December 2001

The Honorary Secretary
c/o Horticulture Research Centre
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute
(MARDI)
P.O Box 12301
General Post Office
50774 Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA

Tel: +603-8943 1974
Fax: +603-8948 7590
armilan@mardi.gov.my