"GM testing gets green light in East Africa"

by Kimani Chege and Deodatus Balile

Kenya has stepped to the forefront of African agricultural biotechnology with the inauguration of a "level II biosafety greenhouse" in Nairobi that will allow containment of genetically modified crops at the experimental stage.

Neighbouring Uganda also has a biotechnology laboratory, which is now carrying out tissue culture of bananas, coffee and other crops. Ugandan scientists are preparing to carry out research experiments involving genetic modification at the Kampala laboratory. But Kenya and South Africa are the sub-Saharan countries to possess the high-security level II biosafety greenhouses.

The Nairobi greenhouse will allow Kenyan scientists to conduct genetic modification experiments that conform to international biosafety standards. Scientists from elsewhere in the region will also be able to develop research projects within the greenhouse.
Full Article : mg.co.za