The term “genetically modified organisms” (or “GMOs”) has come into wide use over the past two decades although it is not a scientific term. The terms used in the science community are “genetic engineering” or “genetic modification”. Yet the more popular nomenclature has persisted in part because biotechnology skeptics know that it stigmatizes a safe process. Who would want to eat an “organism”?
Genetically modified maize on govt plans
The government has drafted a bio-security bill that will explore the possibility of plowing Genetically Modified Maize (GMOs) in Botswana.
This was revealed by the Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Beauty Manake when addressing farmers in Pandamatenga this week.
Manake who was responding to concerns raised by Pandamatenga farmers said the ban on the use of GMO’s resulted in lost opportunities as Botswana was unable to meet its annual maize demand.
“We have long pleaded with the government to set up a framework that can facilitate the use of GMO’s. The ban has resulted in Botswana failing to satisfy its annual maize demand and importing around 10 000 metric tonnes per annum. We need to work around a framework that will address concerns like seed contamination,” they said.