Biotechnology and GMOs in Africa: Unrealized Potential Biotechnology and GMOs in Africa: Unrealized Potential Randy Ploetz University of Florida, IFAS Tropical Research & Education Center Homestead

What is biotechnology?

Broad view: Applied biology

What is biotechnology? Broad view: Applied biology Application of biological knowledge and techniques to develop productsApplication of biological knowledge and techniques to develop products

P. Namanya National Banana Research Programme Uganda

What is biotechnology? Broad view: Applied biology Application of biological knowledge and techniques to develop products Use of living organisms to make a product or run a processUse of living organisms to make a product or run a process

Banana wine Tanzania

What is biotechnology? Broad view: Applied biology Application of biological knowledge and techniques to develop products Use of living organisms to make a product or run a process Classical plant and animal breeding, fermentation and enzyme purificationClassical plant and animal breeding, fermentation and enzyme purification

Pollination to produce new banana hybrids in Uganda

What is biotechnology? Narrower view: Some use term only to refer to newer tools of genetic science

What is biotechnology? Narrower view: Some use term only to refer to newer tools of genetic scienceExamples: Marker Assisted Selection (MAS)Marker Assisted Selection (MAS)

What is biotechnology? Narrower view: Some use term only to refer to newer tools of genetic science Examples: Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) Pathogen & pest detection and identificationPathogen & pest detection and identification

In the narrow sense, biotechnology can also refer to recombinant DNA technology (genetic transformation)

i.e., transferring genes from one organism to another to produce a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

Unfortunately, there has been much hysterical and misinformed criticism of GMOs

With rare exceptions, this criticism has been unwarranted and counterproductive

The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety.

The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety. No food safety problems have been identified in the “big experiment” (USA ca. 300 million people over 10 years)

In fact, food safety and human health can be improved

Bt transformation reduces mycotoxin development in maize considerablyBt transformation reduces mycotoxin development in maize considerably

In fact, food safety and human health can be improved Bt transformation reduces mycotoxin development in maize considerably In China, where GMOs are used widely, there has been a great reduction in pesticide poisoning of farmersIn China, where GMOs are used widely, there has been a great reduction in pesticide poisoning of farmers

The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety.Environment.

All farming impacts the environment, regardless of GMO usage

Primary concern: Movement of transgenes to wild species (enhanced vigor of weeds and reduced genetic diversity in natural ecosystems)

Transgenes do not move more frequently or readily than ordinary genes

Genes are genesGenes are genes Transgenes do not move more frequently or readily than ordinary genes

Genes are genes Transgene movement occurs via natural pollination, hybridization)Transgene movement occurs via natural pollination, hybridization) Transgenes do not move more frequently or readily than ordinary genes

Non-GMO plants to which transgenes move must be closely related to the GMO

Only good example: Round-up ready canola in Canada

Non-GMO plants to which transgenes move must be closely related to the GMO Only good example: Round-up ready canola in Canada Round-up ready canola not used where it is a concern

GMO usage is usually environmentally neutral, but in some cases environment can be improved

ex.: Use of herbicide- resistant crops in reduced tillage systems reduces erosion, soil degradation

The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety. Environment.Multinationals.

Multinationals do hold sway in industrialized countries

However, there is nothing to stop GMO development in developing countries

Multinationals are not interested in most tropical crops (bananas, cassava, yams and millet are good, African examples)

For these crops, there is great potential in developing countries

The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety. Environment. Multinationals.Trade.

In Africa, major concern is over trade with Europe (e.g. GM-corn in Zaire)

Two important points: Europe is not the only market. ex.: China and India are potentially much larger markets

Trade should be of secondary concern where hungry populations exist

The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety. Environment. Multinationals. Trade. Ethical issues.

Complicated, often personal issue

Relevant question: “What is the risk if this technology is not accepted?”

Despite concerns, biotechnological research, including the development of GMOs, is conducted in Africa

IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture ILRI - International Livestock Research Institute WARDA - West Africa Rice Development Association World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) CGIAR centers in Africa address problems in international agriculture

ThanksCGIARINIBAPIPGRI Roger Hull