By Samantha Spooner | From Mail & Guardian Africa
Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto last week said the country will lift the ban on genetically modified crops in the next two months. The products were banned in the country since 2012 following a contentious study in France that linked genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to cancer.
Now, following consultations between “various government ministries, departments and agencies concerned with biotechnology” they have reached the conclusion that with the necessary regulations and safety measures, that the country will look to science and technology to “take us to the next level”.
Genetic modification refers to techniques that manipulate the genetic composition of an organism by adding specific useful genes. These useful genes could make crops high-yielding, disease resistant or drought-resistant – all particularly useful traits considering a third of Africa’s population lives in drought-prone areas and that there are an increasing number of mouths to feed.
So what’s the problem?
GM foods in Africa have primarily been rejected because of health concerns. Questions have been raised over the fate of the newly inserted DNA after it has been consumed by humans. Either because of concerns over the possibility of transfer of the DNA from the food derived from genetically engineered plant into mammalian cells, gastrointestinal bacteria, or soil bacteria. Or because of concerns of inserted genes that confer resistance to antibiotics.
However, NEPAD states that these fears are seen as largely unfounded since DNA is chemically identical regardless of its source.
What adds to the confusion over GM food safety is that the European Union has extremely stringent regulations and GMOs are are subject to extensive, case-by-case, science-based food evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority.
Seeds of discord
Potential health concerns aside, the second predominant reason why GM has been rejected in Africa is because of the negative effects GM crops and seeds have on soil health, seed diversity and on farmer incomes.
Read more at Mail & Guardian Africa
