WE  NEED TO EDUCATE THE SOCIETY ON GENETIC MODIFICATION TECHNOLOGY

There is a growing debate about the potential value of modern biotechnology, and in particular of genetically modified organisms in helping to achieve benefits and opportunities envisioned in food security, health, alternative sources of energy, safe environment and industrial grow. The challenge facing policy makers is not only to understand what genetically modification (GM) technology can do but also to establish the threats this technology presents. While, the potential of GM technology is enormous, there are 3 critical issues: first, whether or not the GM technologies offer sustainable food security option; second, what the implications are for biosafety in human health and well-being; and third, the extent of existing capacity to undertake research, effectively detect, monitor and evaluate GM products and their use. The challenge for policy makers is how to respond to the uncertainty about relative opportunities and genuine concerns on perceived threats posed by GM technologies.

Biotechnology has been in existence for decades. The technology uses principles and techniques that have been practiced for thousands of years such as production of beer, wine, bread, yoghurt and cheese. Traditional animal and plant breeding techniques are also a form of pre-industrial biotechnology. The modern biotechnology becomes special since it makes the above processes faster and more precise. Researchers can take a single gene from a plant or animal cell and insert it into another plant or animal cell of a different species (commonly known as transgenic). In the natural settings this will take several years to happen through mutations and is what is known as evolution. Modern biotechnology therefore brings changes that occur slowlyduring evolution in traditional selective breeding to a faster and more specific way.  New species of plants and animals are produced by natural modification during reproduction and accumuleover many generations.

In compliance with the International Conventions and Treaties, Kenya has also set a firm legal systems and frameworks to safeguard her biodiversity and safety of her people and environment as modern biotechnology research and development progresses in the Country.  The evidence is by the enactment of Biosafety Bill into law in 2009; Establishment of the National Biosafety Authority to regulate activities of GMOs in 2010; Appointment of the NBA Board, 2010 for oversight on safe research and application of modern biotechnology in Kenya and Development and gazettment of Biosafety regulations on contained use, environmental release, Import, export and transit and labelling in 2012. It is important to state that research on GMOs in Kenya operate under these regulations and indeed the Kenyan researchers not only adhere to the international laws to which Kenya is signatory but also observe Kenyan regulations concerning the research, use and importation of GMO products.

Modified living organisms result in products such as drugs, vaccines, food and feeds. Modern Biotechnology techniques and products applicable in the health sector that may be of value in developing countries include, molecular diagnostics, recombinant vaccines, vaccine and drug delivery techniques, sequencing pathogens, genomes, microbicides, bioinformatics, recombinant therapeutic proteins and combinatorial chemistry. Other areas of modern biotechnology that do not necessarily involve genetic engineering include the use of enzymes and bacteria in a wide range of applications, such as: waste management, industrial production, food production, remediation of contaminated land. The underlying principle of the production and use of genetically modified organism (GMO) products is in the safety of their users be they human or animals. For this reason both laboratory and field testing during development are highly controlled and subjected to required regulatory rigors under both international and national laws.

Kenya has invested in research and development in modern Biotechnology. For example KARI and  KEMRI have projects in modern biotechnology producing products and delivery of services.  The Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development (CBRD) of KEMRI include 5 research laboratories, all equipped and mandated to undertake basic and biotechnology-related research on human diseases in Kenya, with the overall goal to contribute in the improvement of human health and welfare.

Globally many GM crops have been commercialized in more than 29 countries with a total acreage of 395 million by 2011. These include, Maize, Soybean, Cotton, potato, Canola, Tomato, Beetroots, Papaya, Squash, Rice, alfalfa. The traits that have been included in most of these crops are mainly pest disease or herbicide resistance, and nutritional enrichment (Biofortication). Kenya has not yet commercialized any GM crop but have several crops at various stages of development by KARI in collaboration with local and International partners. Some of the crops include: Bt cotton to be commercialized in 2014; Drought tolerant maize (Water efficient Maize for Africa-WEMA)  under confined field trial (CFT) at KARI Kiboko; Virus resistant Cassava at KARI Alupe and Mtwapa field stations, Cassava enhanced with protein, Vit A, Zinc and Iron under trials (CFT) in KARI Alupe, Sorghum with enhanced protein, Vit A, Zinc and Iron at KARI Kiboko under  trials (CFT) , Nitrogen Efficient Maize (IMAS) whose  confined field trials are targeted to start  in 2013. In livestock sector, ILRI in Collaboration with KARI are studying possibilities of producing a cow  with tolerance to trypanosomiasis; Recombinant viral vaccine for Rift valley fever, Lumpy skin disease, in cattle, Sheep and Goat and is targeted for trials in 2013.

Application of biotechnology on human health is accepted the world over as source for cheap but safe generic drugs. The principle for drugs production remain basically the same even with food crops involving rigorous laboratory testing and stringent laboratory and field safety studies before regulatory authorities can allow their use in both humans and animals. There are a number of drugs based on monoclonal antibodies for treating various diseases such as rituximab for B-cell lymphomas, trasfuzumab (for Her-2 positive breast cancer) which are produced by GM technology. Vaccines include Hepatitis B, new a cellular pertussis, pneumococcal, meningococcal, staphylococcal vaccine and Recombinant DNA vaccine for HIV (trials). Hormones include insulin for management of diabetes, tamoxifen for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) for management of infertility in women, growth hormones in meat production (Livestock and fish).

The recent reports linking GMOs to Cancer in the rat model has attracted a lot of critique globally and is alarmist to say the least. Kenya has not yet commercialized any GMO crops, but that notwithstanding, countries that commercialized the GMO crops over 20 years ago do not have high cancer prevalence as is being reported in the country. Currently, Cancer is estimated to be the third leading cause of death in Kenya, after infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases it is unlikely that this has any association use of GMO products. In many cases, these cancer have been associated with the rapidly changing lifestyle that our people have adopted, the high infectious agents that predispose the population to high risk human papilloma and HIV viruses, high malnutrition among many maladies. Given that Kenya is largely a grain deficient nation, safe application of modern biotechnology in food production should not be scuttled on the altar of un-informed public opinion but should be based on sober and structured research-based discussions. Otherwise the country risk of jeopardizing research, conflict and drought relief as well as benefits that accrues from GMO technology including drought tolerance and bio-fortification among others.It is important therefore to assure Kenyans that just like most generic drugs are safe, most agricultural products developed following the laid down due processes and in observation of the internationally accepted human biosafety regulations are also safe for their use. In my opinion more public awareness id required and society must be educated on these sciences to make a decision on what to consume. Above all we must demistify such sciences, but must not be afraid to embrace it tackle food insecurity.