Let us be factual about genetically modified crops
Sponsored by Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium
By Joel W. Ochieng
The Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium (KUBICO) is a guild of biotechnology and biosafety experts, mainly based in Public Universities, that use modern biotech approaches and innovations for better food security, health and the environment. The Consortium wishes to respond to continued misinformation and disinformation replicated in news outlets, opinions, social media, and utterances by some political leaders with regards to the safety and social dimensions of products derived from genetic engineering or modern biotechnology, commonly referred to as GMO.
The main staple for Kenya is maize, but whose annual production consistently falls below consumption, constrained by underlying factors such as degraded soils, limited access to improved seeds, and the impact of insect crop pests and diseases. We currently face an annual maize deficit of 1.2 million metric tonnes.
Genetically engineered crops (GMO) are developed to overcome specific challenges. As such, there are many variants available in the market, including those developed to help with weed control using chemical spray (Roundup tolerant maize) in countries with large plantations such as the USA, as well as those developed to overcome insect pests, such as Bt maize in Kenya.
Two locally developed Bt maize varieties (GMO) are intended for farms in Kenya: (1) one protected against attack from stem borer insect pest (which has undergone safety tests and regulatory approvals and is ready for cultivation), and (2) the other with double protection against fall army worm as well as stem borer (currently being considered for National Performance Trials). These crops are modified using a gene from a common and harmless soil-based bacterium with a history of safe use, Bacillus thuringiensis (abbreviated as Bt), which produces several protein crystals. The interesting thing is that each protein is able to kill a specific insect species.
Previously, Bt was formulated into an insecticide administered by spraying on farms for several decades. But through genetic engineering, maize is improved with a specific Bt protein that targets a particular species of pests and does not kill other non-target insects. Just like in medical drug design, where for example, malariaquin taken by humans precisely targets to kill the organism that transmits malaria, Plasmodium falciparium, within our body without interfering with our own cells or the cells of other useful microorganisms such as E. coli bacteria in our stomach. In adopting Bt maize, (1) farm level losses from severe pest damage will be eliminated, so is the continuous pesticide spray by farmers, which is harmful to health and that of the environment, and associated costs of buying the pesticides. (2) Food safety is improved when the maize is protected from pests that usually provide an entry point for fungal infection that cause aflatoxin in maize.
One of the misinformation that appeared in the local dailies claims that the cultivation of Bt maize exposes people to glyphosate, and that some allergies were possible as well as the rise of herbicide-resistant weeds. The most cited study linking Roundup with tumours in rats is the Seralini et al, 2012 (Food Chem Toxicol), concluding that tumours in rats were caused by the glyphosate that makes up the ‘Roundup ready’ herbicide, and not the Maize. The publication has since been retracted (withdrawn) due to a discovery of errors, and republished in another journal to keep memory of methodological mistakes to guide future research. In 2015, Seralini and coauthors made a discovery – that tumours observed in 2012 were not occasioned by either Roundup or GMO maize, but by environmental contaminants in the animal feed used in their earlier experiment (PLOS ONE 10(7): e0128429).
Roundup herbicide (which carries glyphosate) is NOT applied to Bt crops. It is used with roundup tolerant maize (another GMO variety), all about weed control. Roundup tolerant maize has never been grown in Kenya and has not been developed for cultivation here. However, Roundup-ready herbicide has been on sale in Kenya for decades and abusively used before planting on non-GMO fields to control weeds. Dozens of credible studies, including a 2012 PLoS ONE 7(5): e36141, and 2016 BMC Immunology 17:10, on long term immune and allergenic responses as well as the fate of cry1Ab gene and Bt toxins, all conclude that the Bt products have no long term or short term effect.
Concerns regarding seed control have been raised, fearing that multinational companies could control seed systems when Bt maize is commercialised. We clarify that the two maize varieties awaiting farm deployment in Kenya have been developed locally through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and the seeds will be controlled through the normal seed regulations pursuant to the existing legal framework in Kenya. Further, issues of patent do not arise as the technology was donated royalty-fee.
With the Biosafety Act (No. 2 of 2009) as the primary legislation regulating all matters related to GMO and their products, together with four (4) implementing regulations and establishment of the National Biosafety Authority to regulate GMO, we are confident of the country’s capacity to manage the development, local cultivation, and placement onto the market of GMO products. One key regulation to highlight here is the Biosafety (labelling) Regulations, 2012, which ensures that consumers are made aware so that they can make informed choices whether to deal with GMO product or not, and to facilitate the traceability of products.
Before a GMO product is approved for cultivation, it undergoes a series of rigorous tests for safety and assessed for social impact. In line with national Laws, introduction of these crops into the environment (open cultivation) follows scientific assessments as well as public participation. If a product proves to be superior in confined field trials, and the developer applies to conduct open trials in different agro-ecological zones (National Performance Trial), the biosafety regulator, alongside the scientific assessments, publishes details of the application and affords the public an opportunity to share their opinions before a decision is made. This year, in fact, the NBA visited different parts of the country to hear public views in addition to the direct submissions from the public.
As a country faced with intermittent food deficits and quality challenges, we urge for sobriety, especially among political leaders, some of whom have made untrue and irresponsible statements to mislead the public. Some have roundly alleged that consuming Bt maize, for example, can make humans develop horns. Bt maize has no association with such things, or cancer, reduced life expectancy, or libido. Indeed, the modification improves food safety and prevents cancer when the maize is protected from pests that usually provide an entry point for fungal infection that cause aflatoxin in maize. Aflatoxin is a major cause for cancer today.
Embracing safe and profitable technologies will drive millions of farmers to higher productivity, profitability, and provide lucrative entry points for young farmers. Further, with Kenya’s historical emergency food assistance, aid organisations such as the World Food Programme will find it easier to source food and other products from more logistically convenient markets.
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Joel W. Ochieng, PhD, is the Secretary General of Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium
Email [email protected] | Tel: +254 711 121359.