Author: GATONYE GATHURA
Publication: Daily Nation
Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Via: AgBios
The Government has taken the first step towards adopting
biotechnology in agricultural production by preparing guidelines on how to
handle genetically modified applications.
According to the head of the National Council for Science
and Technology, Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak,
the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology will on Thursday
launch a strategy paper explaining the benefits of the technology to the
public.
Fast-track
Agriculture minister William Ruto
on Monday said he would ensure the long delayed Biosafety
Bill is passed.
“We have done enough lobbying to ensure that this time the
Bill is passed,” said Mr Ruto in a speech read on his
behalf by an assistant minister in his docket, Mr Japhet
Kareke Mbiuki, at an
All-Africa Congress on Biotechnology.
“My desire is for all African countries to adopt an enabling
policy for the development and application of biotechnology. This
will fast-track the integration of
This is the third time in as many months that Mr Ruto has called for the adoption of biotechnology and
yesterday he got backing from the African Union.
Ms Rhoda Tumusiime of the AU said
the Assembly of the African Heads of State and Government had called for
adoption of a common position on genetic engineering.
“This indicates the commitment by African leaders that GM
technology may as well be one of the tools that will resolve the continent’s
agricultural constraints,” Ms Tumusiime told the
delegates.
Surprised
A month ago, a report by a high-level African panel on
modern biotechnology, led by
If and when the technology is adopted, Kenyans will be
surprised at how much GM research has been going on in the country, especially
on aloe vera, maize, sweet potatoes, rice, sorghum,
forestry and even on livestock, most of which will be discussed at the five-day
event.
SOURCE: DAILY NATION
agbios.com