Biotechnology and GMOs in Africa: Unrealized Potential

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Biotechnology and GMOs in Africa Unrealized
Potential 
Randy Ploetz University of Florida, IFAS Tropical
Research Education Center Homestead
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What is biotechnology?
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What is biotechnology? Broad view Applied biology
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What is biotechnology? Broad view Applied biology

• Application of biological knowledge and
  techniques to develop products

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P. Namanya National Banana Research Programme
Uganda
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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

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Banana wine Tanzania
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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 purification

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Pollination to produce new banana hybrids in
Uganda
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• What is biotechnology?
• Narrower view
• Some use term only to refer to newer tools of
  genetic science

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

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• 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 identification

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

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• 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)

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Unfortunately, there has been much hysterical and
misinformed criticism of GMOs
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Unfortunately, there has been much hysterical and
misinformed criticism of GMOs With rare
exceptions, this criticism has been unwarranted
and counterproductive
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The main concerns about GMOs are Food safety.
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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)
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In fact, food safety and human health can be
improved
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• In fact, food safety and human health can be
  improved
• Bt transformation reduces mycotoxin development
  in maize considerably

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• 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
  farmers

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The main concerns about GMOs are Food safety.
Environment.
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All farming impacts the environment, regardless
of GMO usage    
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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)  
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Transgenes do not move more frequently or readily
than ordinary genes
 
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Transgenes do not move more frequently or readily
than ordinary genes

• Genes are genes
•  

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Transgenes do not move more frequently or readily
than ordinary genes

• Genes are genes
• Transgene movement occurs via natural
  pollination, hybridization)
•  

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Non-GMO plants to which transgenes move must be
closely related to the GMO
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Non-GMO plants to which transgenes move must be
closely related to the GMO Only good example
Round-up ready canola in Canada
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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
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GMO usage is usually environmentally neutral, but
in some cases environment can be improved
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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
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The main concerns about GMOs are Food safety.
Environment. Multinationals.
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Multinationals do hold sway in industrialized
countries
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Multinationals do hold sway in industrialized
countries However, there is nothing to stop GMO
development in developing countries
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Multinationals are not interested in most
tropical crops (bananas, cassava, yams and millet
are good, African examples)
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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

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The main concerns about GMOs are Food safety.
Environment. Multinationals. Trade.
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In Africa, major concern is over trade with
Europe (e.g. GM-corn in Zaire)
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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
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Trade should be of secondary concern where hungry
populations exist
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The main concerns about GMOs are Food safety.
Environment. Multinationals. Trade. Ethical
issues.
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Complicated, often personal issue  
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Complicated, often personal issue Relevant
question What is the risk if this technology is
not accepted?  
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Despite concerns, biotechnological research,
including the development of GMOs, is conducted
in Africa  
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CGIAR centers in Africa address problems in
international agriculture
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Thanks CGIAR INIBAP IPGRI Roger Hull