As director, Centre for Integrated Research in Bio-safety, University of Canterbury (New Zealand), Jack A Heinemann, along with his team, has been tirelessly working for years to contribute to an increased understanding and more effective management of emerging biotechnologies. He has also authored a chapter on biotechnology for the International Assessment on Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD). Excerpts from an interview with Heinemann who was recently in Hyderabad to participate in the ongoing biodiversity meet, CoP-11.