South Africa Must License Analysis Lab on Genetically Modified Sorghum

Sep 20, 2012 by KotchKittelson260

Prof. Florence Wambugu, a renowned agricultural biotechnologist and the founder of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International, is currently entangled in a row with the South African government over her strategy to set up a multimillion dollar research laboratory and greenhouses to create genetically modified sorghum.

Prof. Wambugu has received a huge grant – US$415 million – from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to develop genetically modified crops, which have proved vital in alleviating food insecurity. Her selection of South Africa stems from the reality that its the only African country with Biosafety laws.

South Africas early enactment of biosafety laws has created it the preferred destination for biotechnology investors. To now hear a nation thats gained international reputation for its friendly policies towards biotechnology is attempting to block an African scientist from advancing a biotechnology cause is appalling.

In justifying its choice to suspend Prof. Wambugus project, South Africas agricultural regulatory agencies have claimed that the genetically modified sorghum can contaminate varieties native to Africa. This looks like a pedestrian argument and its tantamount to putting the cart before the horse.

For the record, Prof. Wambugu has not yet shipped genetically modified sorghum to Africa. All what she wants to do is to set up a laboratory to conduct study on the identical. All what Prof. Wambugu currently wants is to develop the infrastructure for genetically modified sorghum study. Such can in no way interfere with the so known as indigenous African sorghum varieties.

Prof. Wambugu will, at one particular stage, conduct field trials of her genetically modified sorghum. Then is the right time for the South African government to be worried about contamination.

It must not be lost on any individual that South Africa has nicely-entrenched genetically modified organisms (Gmos) regulatory laws. So, its unlikely that the new genetically modified sorghum will be developed outside such laws.

Genetically modified crops are not alien to South Africa. Its not the 1st time a new genetically modified crop is getting introduced into South Africa. The laws that governed the introduction of genetically modified corn and cotton, at the moment getting commercially grown in South Africa have to be applied to Prof. Wambugus genetically modified sorghum.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, by investing in agricultural biotechnology analysis, is sending a stark message to African countries that its committed to locating a permanent solution to Africas chronic food issues. The very best way to reciprocate this generous gesture is for African governments to enable scientists like Prof. Wambugu to do their perform unimpeded.

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