Biotechnology and GMOs in Africa: Unrealized Potential

1. Biotechnology and GMOs in Africa: Unrealized Potential Randy Ploetz University of Florida, IFAS Tropical Research & Education Center Homestead

2. What is biotechnology?

3. What is biotechnology? Broad view: Applied biology

4. What is biotechnology? Broad view: Applied biology • Application of biological knowledge and techniques to develop products

5. P. Namanya National Banana Research Programme Uganda

6. 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

7. Banana wine Tanzania

8. 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

9. Pollination to produce new banana hybrids in Uganda

10. What is biotechnology? • Narrower view: • Some use term only to refer to newer tools of genetic science

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

12. 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

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

14. 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)

15. Unfortunately, there has been much hysterical and misinformed criticism of GMOs

17. Unfortunately, there has been much hysterical and misinformed criticism of GMOs With rare exceptions, this criticism has been unwarranted and counterproductive

18. The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety.

19. 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)

20. In fact, food safety and human health can be improved

21. In fact, food safety and human health can be improved • Bt transformation reduces mycotoxin development in maize considerably

22. 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

23. The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety. Environment.

24. All farming impacts the environment, regardless of GMO usage

25. 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)

26. Transgenes do not move more frequently or readily than ordinary genes

27. Transgenes do not move more frequently or readily than ordinary genes • Genes are genes

28. Transgenes do not move more frequently or readily than ordinary genes • Genes are genes • Transgene movement occurs via natural pollination, hybridization)

29. Non-GMO plants to which transgenes move must be closely related to the GMO

30. Non-GMO plants to which transgenes move must be closely related to the GMO Only good example: Round-up ready canola in Canada

31. 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

32. GMO usage is usually environmentally neutral, but in some cases environment can be improved

33. 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

34. The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety. Environment. Multinationals.

35. Multinationals do hold sway in industrialized countries

36. Multinationals do hold sway in industrialized countries However, there is nothing to stop GMO development in developing countries

37. Multinationals are not interested in most tropical crops (bananas, cassava, yams and millet are good, African examples)

38. 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

40. The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety. Environment. Multinationals. Trade.

41. In Africa, major concern is over trade with Europe (e.g. GM-corn in Zaire)

42. 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

43. Trade should be of secondary concern where hungry populations exist

44. The main concerns about GMOs are : Food safety. Environment. Multinationals. Trade. Ethical issues.

45. Complicated, often personal issue

46. Complicated, often personal issue Relevant question: “What is the risk if this technology is not accepted?”

47. Despite concerns, biotechnological research, including the development of GMOs, is conducted in Africa

49. CGIAR centers in Africa address problems in international agriculture IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture ILRI - International Livestock Research Institute WARDA - West Africa Rice Development Association World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

50. Thanks CGIAR INIBAP IPGRI Roger Hull