MAXIMIZING BENEFITS FROM BIOTECHNOLOGY TO CATAPULT DEVELOPMENT

The concept of Biotechnology encompasses a wide range and history of procedures for modifying living organisms. Biotechnology involves the application of molecular and cell biology tools to solve problems of health, agricultural and industrial production, and the environment. Techniques of biotechnology including cloning, genetically modified varieties, genetic screening, among others have enabled scientists to manipulate genes (and therefore desirable traits) in ways they could not before - and with greater ease and precision. Biotechnology has been growing very rapidly and its development has covered almost every sector.

In Agriculture, its application has led to increased crop yields and increased food nutrients, improved resistance to diseases and pests, reduced vulnerability of crops to environmental events, reduced maturation time for faster returns, improved taste, texture and appearance of crops, reduced dependence on fertilizers, pesticides and other agrochemicals, tolerance to broad spectrum herbicide, new products and the growing techniques are more adaptable, increased resistance to animal disease, increased productivity and better nutrients utilization, resistance to drought, Improved diagnostic methods for animal diseases and improved animal health.

In medicine, biotechnology has led to: drug production and pharmacogenomics which is influenced by genetic variation, Comprehensive diagnosis of HIV, gene therapy and genetic testing and production of: Insulin for diabetics, human growth hormone which is administered by patients to support normal growth and development, clotting factor VIII for hemophiliacs and Hepatitis B vaccine.

In the environmental management, Biotechnology has been used in Bioremediation to recycle, treat and clean up waste by use of microbial metabolism especially in marine ecosystems. Bioprocesses such as: phytoremediation, bioventing, rhizofiltration, biostimulation, mycoremediation, land farming, composting and bioleaching of heavy metals. Development of friendly bio herbicides and bio insecticides, bioprocessing of forest products and novel natural waste management has provided a means of environmental conservation.

Industrially, biotechnology has been used in the manufacture of biomaterials e.g. plastics, manufacture of chemicals and enzymes like those used in food and beverage industries. Biotechnology has also been applied in processes including treatment of waste water, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Use of biomaterials in industry is a new approach towards reduction of environmental pollution and great way of conserving resources.  Biotechnology has continued to fuel the world. Switching to biofuels for transportation needs has reduced energy dependency on oil imports and has boosted rural development, providing farmers with an additional source of income. Bioethanol, the principal fuel used as substitute for petrol for road transport vehicles, is mainly produced by the sugar fermentation process of cellulose (starch). Biodiesel on the other hand is mainly produced from oil crops such as rapeseed, palm, and soybean.

As a country, we have the requisite capacity to exploit biotechnology for sustainable development. KARI, KEMRI and other institutions locally have the expertise and equipment to carry out more research in biotechnology. We have applied biotechnology in agriculture and health, albeit, more opportunities to reap from this powerful technology is presented through its industrial applications.

Therefore, Kenya faces a compelling need to develop long-term policies and strategies on biotechnology that reduce restrictive frameworks to: Promote national biotechnology needs assessment and targeted research, provide incentives for creation and financing of local private biotechnology enterprises, promote local public R&D of foreign industry partnerships, improve and enhance scientific capacities and technological infrastructure, and most importantly integrate biotechnology risk management into existing environmental, health, and agricultural regimes.