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Let us put science to the best possible use
2008-03-05 08:57:08
By Editor
How many of us here present know that the proverbial life-saving substance called insulin is a GMO? That was a resource person asking participants of a one-day sensitisation seminar held at a Dar es Salaam hotel on Monday.
It was organised by the Vice President`s Office and chaired by Environment Director Eric Mugurusi.
The holding of the seminar coincided with the commemoration of the sixth Africa Environment Day and, in Tanzania, the launch of the National Biosafety Committee.
It was low-key but beautifully in consonance with our country`s development strategies and priorities.
The committee is fondly referred to only as NBC and comprises 16 members, most of them eminent researchers and academicians.
These represent institutions such as the University of Dar es Salaam (Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology), Sokoine University of Agriculture, NEMC, Costech, NIMR, TFNC, and TPRI.
Government ministries represented on the committee are Industries and Trade, Water and Irrigation, Communications, Science and Technology, Livestock and Fisheries, and Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Genetic engineering experts are agreed that the development, introduction and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has both advantages and disadvantages.
But the development of GMOs largely remains uncharted territory in most developing countries, and hence the need for extra vigilance in handling it.
Many ordinary people lack the scientific knowledge they need to discern the health and other hazards posed by some of the "wonder products" of scientific research and therefore badly need informed advice.
Experts say many wananchi are naturally averse to change but all need to be certain about the safety of all the items they consume or come anywhere near to steer clear of accidental death or debilitating diseases.
It is three years now since the government came up with a national biosafety framework and biosafety guidelines.
One earnestly hopes that the just-launched NBC will not be found wanting in playing the role it has been set up to play.
This is because it is clear that public knowledge about the existence of both the framework and the guidelines remains distressingly scanty.
There was conspicuous surprise as legal expert Prof Palamagamba Kabudi took seminar participants through the 2004 Environment Management Act.
That was particularly when he said even light, odour, sound and taste are subsumed under the term ``environment`` and can also be contaminated or lead to environmental pollution.
There was more surprise when he quoted the Act as giving a comprehensive definition of the term ``GMO`` and stipulating that every resident of Tanzania is entitled to a clean, safe and healthy environment.
The 2004 law makes it mandatory for anyone developing, handling, using, importing or exporting GMOs and/or their by-products to ensure that those organisms are friendly to the environment and human health and social, economic, cultural and ethical concerns.
Tanzania has a rich stock of up-to-date information on science and technology many people do not know about.
NBC should chip in fast so that all of us benefit more from the countless advantages scientific R&D can offer.
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