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GMO misinformation: It will be difficult for Kenyans to make informed decisions and that could cost lives
The level of misinformation on GMOs in Kenyan media could be the highest in the world, according to a new study by Alliance for Science. The study reviewed GMO-related stories in Kenyan media over three months, between October 2022 and January 2023. President Dr William Ruto lifted a…
African regulators say the continent has the appropriate legal regime to oversee the safe use of GMOs
Biosafety regulators from Africa told the United Nations (UN) Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, Canada in December 2022 that African countries have the appropriate legal regime to regulate the safe application of genetically modified organism (GMO) technology to agricultural production. Regulators from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Sudan…
African leaders voice support for GMOs
As African governments ponder the fate of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), prominent leaders across the continent have openly expressed support for the technology. From Ethiopia to South Africa, and points in between, a cross section of leaders — both serving and former — have agreed that…
Kenya publishes guidelines specific to gene editing
Kenya has published science-based guidelines to facilitate the development of gene-edited research and products, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. “Genome editing technology has been identified as a potential new option to augment existing interventions in pursuance of achieving the African Union Agenda 2063 and it is…
Top scientist urges Kenya to take new approach to regulating gene editing crops
Subjecting Kenya’s gene-edited crops to the same regulations as those developed through genetic modification could unnecessarily slow their release to farmers and consumers, warned the director of the East Africa Hub of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Leena Tripathi said edited crops with no foreign gene added should…
GM crops: Kenya and Nigeria progress as Uganda falters
Though several African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia, are making tremendous strides in their quest to develop and commercialize genetically modified crops, it’s not the same story in Uganda. Despite very promising initial successes, Ugandan scientists in the East African country have struggled to progress their GM crop research…
Kenya on track to commercialize GM maize by 2022 to increase yields, cut pesticide use
Whether it is ugali, a popular dish prepared from maize flour and often accompanied by meat, vegetables and pulses, or porridge, the staple of the Kenyan diet is maize. Nothing goes to waste from the harvest, as the crop’s by-products are used as livestock and poultry feed. But experts say this critical…
Lost year? Not for GMOs!
This month marked one year since the COVID-19 pandemic turned life upside down around the world. The anniversary wasn’t exactly a celebratory milestone, but it has prompted many of us to reflect deeply on the events — and lack thereof — of the past 12 months. The one-year mark also…
Kenyan farmers clamor for GMO maize seed after visiting demonstration site
Impressed by the high yields realized in open field trials, Kenyan farmers are urging their government to speed up the process of allowing them to access genetically modified Bt maize. “I have seen today that when I will be able to plant Bt maize, it will improve my yields and…