INITIATING DEBATE ON GMOs-Tanzania

Before we can proceed to talk about GMOs (Genetically modified organisms) we may need to talk on how they came about. Briefly, a GMO is any organism in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered/modified in a way which does not occur naturally (by mating or recombination) through the use of modern advances in biotechnology.

Biotechnology can be defined in many ways, but according to the convention on Biological Diversity, biotechnology is defined as any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for the specific use. Biotechnology provides a set of tools that, if appropriately integrated with other technologies, can be applied for the sustainable development agriculture, livestock, fisheries, wildlife and forestry, pharmaceutical and medical industries as well as in the protection of the environment.

Modern advances in biotechnology include:

 Genetic engineering – the transfer of specific genes from one organism to another. It is generally defined as the science of altering the genetic material of an organism in order to eliminate undesirable characteristics or to produce desirable new ones. Genetic engineering is used to increase crop and livestock production, to diagnose disease, improve medical treatment through the production of vaccines and other useful drugs; and to help dispose off industrial waste.

 Genetic engineering technology has therefore resulted into the productions of transgenic plants and animals popularly known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) also known as Living modified organisms (LMOs).

 Cloning – the maintenance and growth of genetically uniform plants and animals.

 In Agriculture and food production, more than 20 crop species have been genetically modified using this technology. Most of these modifications have been targeted towards higher production levels through weed, pest and disease management. Genetically engineered crops include maize, soybean, tomato, cotton, tobacco, rice, wheat, canola/rapeseed, potato, squash, and papaya. Most of these crops and/or products thereof are now sold throughout the world.

The questions posed:
Is the Tanzanian general public aware of the advances in biotechnology?
Is Tanzania prepared to meet the challenges of the new technology?
Have you eaten any of the GMO products – knowingly or unknowingly?
If YES, have you felt differently?