Prof. Florence Wambugu, a well-known agricultural biotechnologist and the founder of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International, is in a fight with the South African government over her plan to build a multimillion-dollar research lab and greenhouses to develop genetically modified sorghum.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave Prof. Wambugu a huge grant of $415 million to develop genetically modified crops, which have helped a lot with food insecurity. South Africa was chosen because it is the only country in Africa with Biosafety laws.
South Africa is the best place for biotechnology investors to go because it passed biosafety laws early on. It's shocking to hear that a country with a good reputation for being friendly to biotechnology is now trying to stop an African scientist from helping a biotechnology cause.
South Africa's agricultural regulatory agencies said that the genetically modified sorghum can contaminate African varieties, which is why Prof. Wambugu's project had to be put on hold. This seems to be a weak argument, and it's like putting the cart before the horse.
For the record, Prof. Wambugu has not yet sent any sorghum that has been changed genetically to Africa. All she wants to do is set up a lab where she can study the same thing. At the moment, all Prof. Wambugu wants to do is set up the tools for research on genetically modified sorghum. Such things can't hurt the so-called "indigenous" African sorghum varieties in any way.
At some point, Prof. Wambugu will test her genetically modified sorghum in the field. The South African government should worry about "contamination" at that point.
South Africa has strong laws about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which should be clear to everyone. So, it's unlikely that the new GMO sorghum will be made without following these rules.
South Africa is not new to crops that have been changed genetically. It's not the first time that South Africa is getting a new crop that has been changed genetically. Prof. Wambugu's genetically modified sorghum needs to follow the same rules as the genetically modified corn and cotton that are already being grown commercially in South Africa.
By putting money into agricultural biotechnology research, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is sending a clear message to African countries that it is determined to find a permanent solution to Africa's long-term food problems. The best way for African governments to show their appreciation for this kind act is to let scientists like Prof. Wambugu do their work without getting in the way.
