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Biotechnology: Zimbabwe Must Learn From China
Ever heard of the saying, you cannot bite the hand that feeds
you?.Shunned by the West for oppressing his people, Zimbabwean
President, Robert Mugabe, has turned to China for comradeship.
Two weeks ago, Mugabe and his lieutenants were in China - on a
begging mission. His country's economy now in a shambles, Mugabe
saw it fit to plead with China to rescue his fast sinking ship.
Expectedly, China - a fast growing economy, has pledged to come
to Mugabe's aid. Help will be limited, meaning that Zimbabweans'
troubles are far from over.
What now awaits Zimbabwe - once Africa's food basket?
Agriculture, which is the backbone of Zimbabwe's economy, for
one, is on its last throes. Outdated agricultural policies,
obsolete farming technologies coupled with bad politics are
largely to blame for the country's economic down-turn. Why
shouldn't Zimbabwe, now, take advantage of its newfound suitor -
China, to revitalize its agriculture? China, for instance, has
and continue to benefit from modern biotechnology. Zimbabwe,
similarly could benefit immensely if it courts biotechnology.
This would make it self-sufficient in food and stop relying on
relief aid! Monetary handouts such as the one President Mugabe
is craving for are only stop-gap measures to Zimbabwe's food
problems.
China is currently the hub of biotechnology in Asia. Since the
planting of the first genetically modified crop in the US
fifteen years ago, China has aggressively pursued cultivation of
genetically modified (GM) crops. So far, it has given regulatory
approval to eight varieties of biotech corn, seven types of
canola and one of soybeans. As a result, China can now feed its
more than 1 billion population without seeking outside help.
China is no longer in the list of countries the United Nations
(UN) consider in need of food assistance. In a very short period
of time, China has transformed its agriculture, effectively
moving from recipient of food aid to a donor. Admirable
achievement!
China's success in biotechnology can be attributed to a number
of
factors. One, China, unlike many African countries, has
refused to politicize the issue of genetically modified food. It
has worked closely with the US to promote a regulatory system
based on sound science to expedite GM approvals. This is despite
the presence of major political differences between these two
countries.
Two, China's enthusiasm in training first-class scientists on
modern biotechnology has been steadfast. It has invested
billions of dollars in science and technology education . As a
result the country is now able to make informed decisions about
genetically modified food.
Now that Zimbabwe is engaged with China, can't it take advantage
of this new acquaintance to modernize its agriculture? Zimbabwe
remains strongly opposed to GM food for no justifiable reasons.
Even a time like this when it is facing acute food shortage,
Zimbabwe would not allow food aid laced with genetically
modified organisms into its territory. Relief organizations are
required to produce GMO certificates to certify that food being
brought into the country is GM free. Is this necessary at all?
Many a times, African countries have complained about being used
as guinea pigs by biotech companies! This is ridiculous. China,
Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and South Africa are some of the
countries from developing world currently growing genetically
modified food. Are they guinea pigs?
China, early enough, saw the folly of politicizing the biotech
debate. It is now reaping bountifully. A poor country a decade
ago, China is now able to bail out a country like Zimbabwe.
When Mugabe travels to Beijing again, China should remind him
that its wealth has been accrued from modern biotechnology. And
that Zimbabwe should follow suit. Failure to do so amounts to
biting the hand that feeds it.
About the author:
James Wachai is a communication specialist who uses his
expertise to increase public understanding of science and
technology, specifically biotechnology. Read more from James at
http://www.gmoafrica.org.
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