East Africa needs to embrace biotechnology, harmonise biosafety laws

by Florence Wambugu*

UNESCO last week appointed Nairobi a regional centre of expertise on education and sustainable development. Nairobi becomes the first city in Africa to get such an award, joining 35 other global cities.

Kenya is already as home to international science organisations such as UNEP, the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (Icraf), the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), the International Potato Centre, and the Nepad Bioscience Facility for Eastern and Central Africa.

While we debate various sections of the Kenya Biosafety Bill, we should note that countries in the region are looking to us to provide a strong position on agricultural research and development. With or without such a policy, Kenya and the region will be affected by global trends in biotechnology, and we need legislation to support the import, production and export of biotech products.

Although different views have been, and will be, expressed about the Bill, there is consensus that science and technology are key ingredients for national and regional economic competitiveness.

Kenyans are yet to fully appreciate that knowledge generation by institutions devoted to science, research and technical innovations is the bedrock of a modern knowledge economy. Science and technology must be given due recognition and integrated in the structure of our economy.

The government deserves praise for publishing "Developing Kenya's Biotechnology Policy," which is a precursor to the Kenya Biosafety Bill. The two documents are an acknowledgment that genetic modification technology, like many other technologies, will continue to affect national and regional agricultural research.

Being the most advanced East African country in biotech research, the country has a regional mandate to ensure the best policies and laws are in place. The region increasingly appreciates the inter-dependence that already exists. Even in non-biotech activities, such as the importation of, say, tissue culture bananas, the need for common phyto-sanitary standards is well acknowledged. It is far easier for diseased bananas to enter Kenya from Uganda than, say, India. For this reason, while each country should seek to optimise agricultural and other technologies, we need to increasingly see ourselves as East Africans.

Kenya must come up with a biotechnology legislation that paves the way for regional regulatory framework. The Bill must also be in harmony with existing international instruments, which can help East African countries establish appropriate regulatory structures that deal with potential concerns. Thinking regionally and internationally will provide the basis for future harmonisation of national regulations for crops, livestock, fish, forest trees, and micro-organisms, while meeting international obligations.

While there is need to protect Kenya's investment in science and technology through national policy and legislation, it is important to understand that the country's leadership position requires carrying other countries along.

*Dr. Wambugu is the CEO of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International

Daily Nation