DOUBLE SIDES OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Biological science when properly utilized can contribute positively to socio- economic development of any given nation. It can play a great role in agriculture, health, environment and industries and also provide goods and services to an ever growing global population. This field of science has been used to increase crop yields, improve quality and quantity of livestock and their products, develop diagnostic tools for both animal and human health and exploit natures' flora and fauna sustainably for socio-economic development. For instance, most pharmaceutical companies all over the world use this field of science to produce drugs and vaccines for infectious and no- infectious diseases. In addition, environmental protection and sustainability is ensured through application of biological sciences. On the other side, if not used well, knowledge from biological science can be used for none peaceful purposes. In the spirit of ensuring safe research and use of biological agents and toxins, Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) was developed.

The BTWC bans the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition and retention of microbial or other biological agents or toxins, in types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes. The convention was simultaneously opened for signature in Moscow, Washington and London in 1972 and entered into force in 1975.  Kenya acceded to the convention in 1976.  By 2012, the total number of States Parties to the Convention was 166 out of which 29 were from Africa with 6  from East Africa namely; Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Sudan. The National Council for Science and Technology is the National Focal Point for the BTWC in Kenya.

Article IV of BTWC requires States Parties to take necessary national measures such as enactment of national laws to prohibit and prevent the misuse of biological agents, toxins, weapons, equipment and means of delivery within their territories; and Article X states that States Parties should undertake to facilitate the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the use of biological agents and toxins for peaceful purposes.  Under the two articles, the Government of Kenya has benefited through capacity building in research institutions and institutions of higher learning; upgrading of laboratories, sensitization of stakeholders and training of communication officers from various government ministries and agencies in addition to finalization of the draft Biosciences Policy and Biosciences Bill. Two Kenyans have been fully sponsored in the past to attend the Meeting of States parties and the Seventh Review Conference of the convention respectively.

The fact that biological sciences research is crucial in Kenya should not be underestimated. This is because such research can contribute heavily to socio-economic development of the country. Kenya through its research institutions such as KARI and KEMRI which have positively used biological science knowledge generated through research to address national development challenges such as food insecurity and human health.

In KARI, research in biotechnology has played a significant role in improving the quality and quantity of animals and  increased crop production through breeding, improved indigenous crops such as sorghum, sweet potatoes and cassava by their fortification with Vitamin A  Already, farmers have started reaping the benefits of tissue cultured bananas through increased yields and better prices in the local market in many regions in Kenya. In animal production, research has led to development of disease resistant breeds for increased milk and beef production.. Regionally, Kenya not only boasts of having the best dairy breeds but also has developed through biological research livestock vaccines such as Avivax, (anti-Newcastle virus vaccine), Riftvax (Rift valley fever vaccine) and Rindervax (Rinderpest vaccine) and Fowlvax (Fowl typhoid vaccine) among many others against common livestock diseases and infections.

In health, KEMRI has developed a fully fledged production unit that utilizes findings from human research to develop innovative tools to address national health problems. Among the discoveries made by KEMRI scientists that are fully approved by relevant statutory national authorities include: KEMTAQ, an enzyme for gene multiplication; KEMRAB, a hand sanitizer; HEPCELL Rapid, a Hepatitis B surface antigen detection kit for laboratory diagnosis of Hepatis B virus infection; KEMCOM Rapid, a rapid HIV1 and 2 detection kit among other. These products have been tested and proven not only to be functional but relatively less costly and should therefore be used by Kenyans instead of relying on expensive imported similar products from overseas.

However, when not properly regulated, the biological sciences research can be used for non-peaceful purposes. For instance, the release of organisms causing smallpox, plague, anthrax, influenza or other diseases could prove catastrophic in terms of the resulting illnesses and deaths compounded by the panic such outbreaks  generate. The other reasons that calls for regulation of biological sciences research include: the potential for production of new microbial agents as expertise in biosciences grows and methods for genetic manipulation of organisms become simpler. With the threats caused by globalization and transport systems including increased number of emerging and re-emerging diseases, the trans boundary spread of infectious diseases, insecure transport and transfer of materials from sampling sites during importation and exportation, inadequate laboratories to ensure bio-safety and bio-security, there should be a legal framework in place to ensure that dual-use research is prevented. The Government of Kenya, through Vision 2030, recognizes the need to enhance biosecurity due to the growing threat of biological agents that may be misused to cause devastating epidemics.

All States Parties are expected to domesticate the convention. In Africa, Kenya is miles ahead as far as the domestication of the convention is concerned.

Kenya has prepared a draft Biosciences Policy and Biosciences Bill which has been shared with stakeholders and policy makers. The country also developed biotechnology awareness (BioAWARE) Strategy to inform stakeholders of the uses of biotechnology; established National Biosafety Authority in 2009 to ensure and assure safe application and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs); developed regulations on safe handling, use, import, export and transit of GMOs; established Biotechnology institutions at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenyatta University, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute. However, the country still needs to do more in terms of capacity building in bioinformatics, disease surveillance, and nanotechnology and upgrading of public laboratories to Biosafety Level 3. Enacting the Biosciences Policy and Bill will therefore enhance domestication of the BTWC in the country in line with requirements of the new Constitution that all treaties that Kenya has ascended to must be part of the country’s Laws.

The legal framework will also catalyze research in biological sciences for the benefit of society. There is need to equally strengthen the basic sciences to generate knowledge and contribute to global knowledge pool.