[afro-nets] Third generation GM crops: 'pharmacrops' in Africa (2)

["Atsu Seake-kwawu" <dratsu_skwawu@yahoo.co.uk>]

Third generation GM crops: 'pharmacrops' in Africa (2)
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The write up on third generation GM crops is interesting to read and should really signal the worry and apprehension most African decision makers have about the GM crops and pharmacrops.

The idea of 'GM' everything from food to drug sounds like day dreaming as it promises to help solve problems from poor nutrient, low yielding, pest vulnerable plant crops in Africa to specific nutrient rich, high yielding, pest resistant crops.

Sounds also like Africa must be really useless should she fail to take advantage of these 'progressive innovations' in food and medicine production.

Unfortunately as a people who suffered de-humanising slavery, followed by colonialism and neo-colonialism, there should be genuine scepticism among the  enlightened few and mass ignorance among the uninformed. And such ignorance should not be interpreted as indifference. Public reaction to the knowledge that GM crops have come into Africa to replace naturally grown crops can be unpredictable. Many need to be convinced that personal and public safety is not under threat. And how do we deal with the commercial interests arising that 'none can grow or plant except s/he waits on a supplier to bring crops from Europe and America' ? Will freedom in the current situation not be more acceptable to an uncertain food crop production future which could be subject to international sanctions and all that?

Some of us are unconvinced about the assurances of safety. For how many decades were health and safety issues relating to GM foods studied? Who is convinced that a finding of no-problem made over a few years in developed countries are generalisable for Africa's present and future generations? 

Do we need GM crops? Even with the current native food production technology, the world is not really short of food. The problem has been distribution and the willingness of others to agree that it is immoral to destroy food because they have it in excess or the prices are low, while other parts of the world wallow in hunger. Sure, hunger in Africa can be relieved by better distribution of naturally grown crops. 

History and original research should guide us African in making the decisions and we should resist any pressures to fall in line otherwise we are likely to sell off the future of generations yet unborn. Once beaten, twice shy. And slowly do we need to hasten.

Dr Atsu Seake-Kwawu
Keta, Ghana
mailto:atsu@doctor.com