The Legal Aspect of the Current Use of Genetically Modified Organisms in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

Overview

Journal GM Crops Food

Specialties Biology
Biotechnology
Molecular Biology

Date 2023 May 9

PMID 37158150

Authors

Gideon Sadikiel Mmbando

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Many African nations place a high priority on enhancing food security and nutrition. However, unfavorable environmental conditions interfere with the achievement of food security in Africa. The production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) presents intriguing possibilities for improving food security on the continent. In Africa, countries in the same regions have different GMO usage policies and laws. While some nations are updating their laws and policies to allow GMOs, others are still debating whether they are worth the risk. However, there is still little information available regarding the most recent status of GMO applications in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The current review summarizes the state of GMO applications for enhancing food security in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Currently, Tanzania and Uganda do not accept GMOs, but Kenya does. This study can assist governments, academics, and policymakers in enhancing GMO acceptance for boosting nutrition and food security in their nations.

Citing Articles

The current status of genetic biofortification in alleviating malnutrition in Africa.

Mmbando G, Missanga J J Genet Eng Biotechnol. 2024; 22(4):100445.

PMID: 39674627 PMC: 11638581. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgeb.2024.100445.

Impacts of accelerating agricultural R&D transfer on global food security.

Jin Y, Kristkova Z, Kardung M, Wesseler J GM Crops Food. 2024; 15(1):1-12.

PMID: 39653389 PMC: 11633200. DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2024.2438419.

Genome editing in Sub-Saharan Africa: a game-changing strategy for climate change mitigation and sustainable agriculture.

Amoah P, Oumarou Mahamane A, Byiringiro M, Mahula N, Manneh N, Oluwasegun Y GM Crops Food. 2024; 15(1):279-302.

PMID: 39481911 PMC: 11533803. DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2024.2411767.

The recent genetic modification techniques for improve soil conservation, nutrient uptake and utilization.

Mmbando G, Ngongolo K GM Crops Food. 2024; 15(1):233-247.

PMID: 39008437 PMC: 11253881. DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2024.2377408.

Plant Biotechnology-An Indispensable Tool for Crop Improvement.

Pathirana R, Carimi F Plants (Basel). 2024; 13(8).

PMID: 38674542 PMC: 11054891. DOI: 10.3390/plants13081133.

References

Lewis C, Newell J, Herron C, Nawabu H . Tanzanian farmers' knowledge and attitudes to GM biotechnology and the potential use of GM crops to provide improved levels of food security. A Qualitative Study. BMC Public Health. 2010; 10:407. PMC: 2912813. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-407. View

Masiga C . Public Submissions on the Uganda National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012 Reveal Potential Way Forward for Uganda Legislators to Pass the Bill. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2015; 3:152. PMC: 4594032. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2015.00152. View

Mugwanya Zawedde B, Kwehangana M, Oloka H . Readiness for Environmental Release of Genetically Engineered (GE) Plants in Uganda. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2018; 6:152. PMC: 6207583. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2018.00152. View

Gbashi S, Adebo O, Adebiyi J, Targuma S, Tebele S, Areo O . Food safety, food security and genetically modified organisms in Africa: a current perspective. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev. 2021; 37(1):30-63. DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2021.1940735. View

Malzahn A, Lowder L, Qi Y . Plant genome editing with TALEN and CRISPR. Cell Biosci. 2017; 7:21. PMC: 5404292. DOI: 10.1186/s13578-017-0148-4. View

Leisner C . Review: Climate change impacts on food security- focus on perennial cropping systems and nutritional value. Plant Sci. 2020; 293:110412. DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110412. View

Sprink T, Wilhelm R, Hartung F . Genome editing around the globe: An update on policies and perceptions. Plant Physiol. 2022; 190(3):1579-1587. PMC: 9614466. DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac359. View

Mmbando G, Teranishi M, Hidema J . Transgenic rice with higher CPD photolyase activity alleviates UVB-caused growth inhibition. GM Crops Food. 2021; 12(1):435-448. PMC: 8820246. DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2021.1977068. View

Shen J, Zhao D, Sasik R, Luebeck J, Birmingham A, Bojorquez-Gomez A . Combinatorial CRISPR-Cas9 screens for de novo mapping of genetic interactions. Nat Methods. 2017; 14(6):573-576. PMC: 5449203. DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.4225. View

10.

Sturme M, van der Berg J, Bouwman L, De Schrijver A, de Maagd R, Kleter G . Occurrence and Nature of Off-Target Modifications by CRISPR-Cas Genome Editing in Plants. ACS Agric Sci Technol. 2022; 2(2):192-201. PMC: 9075866. DOI: 10.1021/acsagscitech.1c00270. View

11.

Wu F, Wesseler J, Zilberman D, Russell R, Chen C, Dubock A . Opinion: Allow Golden Rice to save lives. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021; 118(51). PMC: 8713968. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2120901118. View

12.

Komen J, Tripathi L, Mkoko B, Ofosu D, Oloka H, Wangari D . Biosafety Regulatory Reviews and Leeway to Operate: Case Studies From Sub-Sahara Africa. Front Plant Sci. 2020; 11:130. PMC: 7067900. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00130. View

13.

Jaganathan D, Ramasamy K, Sellamuthu G, Jayabalan S, Venkataraman G . CRISPR for Crop Improvement: An Update Review. Front Plant Sci. 2018; 9:985. PMC: 6056666. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00985. View

14.

Kikulwe E, Wesseler J, Falck-Zepeda J . Attitudes, perceptions, and trust. Insights from a consumer survey regarding genetically modified banana in Uganda. Appetite. 2011; 57(2):401-13. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2011.06.001. View

15.

Hartley S, Smith R, Kokotovich A, Opesen C, Habtewold T, Ledingham K . Ugandan stakeholder hopes and concerns about gene drive mosquitoes for malaria control: new directions for gene drive risk governance. Malar J. 2021; 20(1):149. PMC: 7968178. DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03682-6. View

16.

Boccia F, Punzo G . A choice experiment on consumer perceptions of three generations of genetically modified foods. Appetite. 2021; 161:105158. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105158. View

17.

Turnbull C, Lillemo M, Hvoslef-Eide T . Global Regulation of Genetically Modified Crops Amid the Gene Edited Crop Boom - A Review. Front Plant Sci. 2021; 12:630396. PMC: 7943453. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.630396. View

18.

Adenle A . Response to issues on GM agriculture in Africa: Are transgenic crops safe?. BMC Res Notes. 2011; 4:388. PMC: 3198699. DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-388. View