GM ban hinders Kenya’s home grown science, technology and innovation

Biotechnology experts from academic and research institutions in Kenya today have collectively called on government to lift ban on Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) Foods Import to pave way for the application of research knowledge to aid in providing solutions to challenges affecting the agricultural sector.
 

If the ban stays, the experts argued, Kenya’s leadership position within the region in trade, governance and application of new knowledge, research and development to address developmental challenges such climate change and food security through application of biotechnology remains at stake.

The biotech leaders expressed concerns the ban continues to be a significant blow to the agriculture sector, agribusiness and progress on biotechnology research and development currently going on at the Universities and research institutions in the country.

"Modern biotechnology is one of the tools that can propel Kenya towards food security. Adoption of biotechnology will certainly make a significant contribution to improving crop productivity, positively impact on farmers’ livelihoods and ensure environmental sustainability,” said Dr Richard Oduol  of  Kenyatta University who is also the chairman of the Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium.

Dr. Oduol noted that Kenya has invested heavily in human and infrastructural capacity in various fields of modern biotechnology, and currently has capacity to manage processes and procedures for detecting, testing and assessing the safety of GMOs.

They further argued that the current ban on GM foods has seriously affected trade, food security and human health. Kenya will remain isolated in world trade as majority of food and cereal commodities go GM.

In September 2012, a team of French Scientists led by Gilles-Eric Séralini, published in Food and Chemical Toxicology associated GM maize consumption with tumor growth in rats. Following this publication, which was apparently drawn to the attention of the government, the Kenya Cabinet issued an executive order on 8th November 2012 prohibiting the importation and consumption of GMO foods in Kenya.