The impact of genetic engeneering on agriculture and human health.

FES

SECTION of DOCUMENT:

CONCLUSIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

[page number of print ed.: 70]

CONCLUSIONS

Crops

Traditional biotechnology such as plant tissue culture, micropropagation and other forms of biotechnology not involving production of transgenic organisms is not controversial and acceptable in Zimbabwe.
Genetic engineering involving research and commercialization of transgenic crops should be endorsed in Zimbabwe, however release of products of genetic engineering into the environment should only be done after through assessments of possible impacts on the environment and human health.
Terminator technology which results in production of seeds which cannot germinate in the next generation of planting should be disallowed in Zimbabwe because our farmers traditionally plant retained seed.
Feeding of GMO products to livestock should only be allowed after careful study and assessment of possible impacts on export markets of livestock products.
It should be mandatory for GMO products on the local markets to be labeled.

Animals

Artificial insemination and embryo transfer have been practised in Zimbabwe for many years by the large scale farmers and is not controversial. The technology should be expanded to benefit the smallholder sector.
Animal and organ cloning are not currently being practised in Zimbabwe but scientifically possible. This type of cloning should be endorsed in Zimbabwe.
Products of recombinant DNA, technology e.g. gene vaccines, DST etc. should be tested for safety, mode of operation, possibilities of horizontal transfer and impact on import/export conditions before administration into livestock.
The Biosafety Board in conjunction with the Livestock Development Trust should monitor export of animal germplasm with a view to the country benefiting from any GMOs produced from the germplasm.

[page number of print ed.: 71]

Human Health

Reproductive cloning which involves regeneration of new humans from single cells of an individual should be disallowed in Zimbabwe until more basic research has been done and ethical and cultural concerns have been addressed. This type of cloning should, in the first instance, be practiced on non-humans.
Therapeutic cloning involving organ and tissue replacement should be endorsed in Zimbabwe and is beneficial. More funds should be allocated to this type of research.

Ethical Considerations

Biotechnology and products thereof are likely to be unaffordable to resource poor peasants. There is need for ethical alternatives including indigenous science.
Products of genetic engineering are closely linked to international trading agreements, and the government does not seem to consult widely enough before signing these agreements.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To ensure compliance with Biosafety regulations, all on-going research, all intended new research and all institutions including personnel carrying out genetic engineering research should be registered with and approved by the Biosafety Board.
Government should ensure that GMO products are labeled. Scientific Institutions, consumer Council of Zimbabwe and Standards Association of Zimbabwe should Act as watchdogs.
Production and consumption of GMOs should be handled on a trait by trait basis and a cautious step by step release to the commercial environment to save on costly errors.
Government should consult widely before signing international trade agreements. To facilitate this consultation process, government should establishment a committee to advise it on the implication of signing international agreements or include experts in delegations to the negotiations.
More funds should be allocated to research in genetic engineering.
Scientists should be conversant with the Biosafety Regulations and Guidelines in Zimbabwe.
[page number of print ed.: 72]
Legislation should be harmonized between offices issuing permits on genetic engineering to ensure consultation between authorities.
Concerning the export of germplasm, there is need for agreement on any GMOs produced particularly in relation to payment of royalties.

[page number of print ed.: 73-75]

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

	NAME	ORGANIZATION*	ADDRESS
1	Dr E Zwangobani	RCZ	Box CY294 Causeway
2	Dr Gudyanga	RCZ	UZ Dept of Metallurgy, Box MP167 Mt Pleasant, Harare
3	Prof. Chinyanga	RCZ	UZ Dept of Anaesthetic, Box A 178, Avondale , Harare
4	Dr R.M. Mupawose	BB	45 Stonechat Lane Borrowdale, Harare
5	Prof. S.B. Feresu	BB	UZ Dept of Biological Sciences, Box MP167, Mt Pleasant, Harare
6	Dr J.Gopo	BB	9 Suffolk Road, Strathaven, Avondale, Harare
7	Mrs K. Mtindi	BB	146 Josiah Chinamano Ave, Harare
8	Mrs M.P. Mutasa	BB	Standards Association of Zimbabwe Box 2259, Harare
9	Dr S .S. Mlambo	BB	DR&SS, Box CY594, Causeway, Harare
10	Dr Mwenje	BB	Nust Dept of Applied Biology, Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo
11	Dr I Sithole-Niang	BB	UZ Dept of Biochemistry, Box MP167 Mt Pleasant, Harare
12	Dr B Manyuchi	BB	Research Council of Zimbabwe, Box CY294 Causeway, Harare
13	Mrs S.C. Madzinga	SLO	Research Council of Zimbabwe, Box CY294 Causeway, Harare
14	Mrs F. Kangere	SLO Secretariat	Research Council of Zimbabwe, Box CY294 Causeway, Harare
15	Mrs T.P. Nyahunzvi	SLO Secretariat	Research Council of Zimbabwe, Box CY294 Causeway, Harare
16	Ms J. Marere	SLO Secretariat	Research Council of Zimbabwe, Box CY294 Causeway, Harare
17	Dr M. Masiiwa	Friedrich Ebert-Stiftung	Box 4720 Harare
18	Mrs E.S. Kalume	Friedrich Ebert-Stiftung	Box 4720 Harare
19	Mr C.T. Chiumba	Friedrich Ebert-Stiftung	Box 4720 Harare
20	Dr D.C. Jewel	Ex- CIMMYT	1 Kendal close, Rolf Valley, Harare
21	Prof. C.J. Chetsanga	SIRDC	Box 6640, Harare
22	Prof. M. Rukuni	ARC	3 McChiery Ave, Eastlea, Harare
23	Mr B. McCarter	SEED-CO	Box WGT 64, Westgate, Harare
24	Prof. G. Chavunduka	ZINATHA	40 The Chase, Mt Pleasant, Harare
25	Dr U. Ushewokunze-Obatolu	Dept of Vet Services,	Lab Diagnostic & Research Box CY550, Causeway, Harare
26	Dr S. Moyo	MRS	DR&SS, P.B.K 5137 Bulawayo
27	Prof. C.F.B. Nhachi	UZ	Dept of Clinical Pharmacology, Box A393, Avondale, Harare
28	Fr B. MacGarry S.J	ZCBC	Box GD100, Greendale, Harare
29	Mr Maronda	CCZ	Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, Box UA582, Harare
30	Mrs A. Motsi	CI	11 Connaught Rd Avondale, Harare
31	Dr A.E. Matibiri	TRB	Box 1909, Harare
32	Fr L Lesseps, S.J	Arrupe College	Box MP320, Mt Pleasant, Harare
33	Mr P. Sibanda	ZINATHA	Box 116, Harare
34	Mrs E. Mandishona	ZFU	Box 3755, Harare
35	P. Mwarewangepo	Attorney General's Office	Corner House, Cnr S. Machel & L. Takawira St, Harare
36	Mr Chikwenhere	ICFU	2813 Marlborough Drive, Harare
37	Mr T.T Mashavira	CFU	Box 530, Kadoma
38	Mrs M Sangarwe	MMET	P Bag 7753, Causeway, Harare
39	Dr Luke Mehlo	SIRDC	Box 6640, Harare
40	Mrs D. Garwe	TRB	Box 1909, Harare
41	Dr P.D. Ndlove	BRL	Box CY 573, Causeway, Harare
42	Mr I. Mharapara	ARC	3 McChlery Ave South, Eastlea, Harare
43	Dr P. Nyathi	DR&SS	Box CY594, Causeway, Harare
44	M.T. Mandisodza	NRB	Box CY385, Causeway, Harare
45	Mr R .Manyonga	Patent Office	Box CY177, Causeway, Harare
46	Mrs D. Mnyulwa	BTZ	Box BW 267, Borrowdale, Harare
47	Mr J.T. Mugwagwa	BTZ	Box BW 267, Borrowdale Harare
48	D. Rinomhota	ZBC/TV	ZBC/TV Chinhoyi
49	G. Mtandwa	Financial Gazzette	Box 396, Harare
50	G. Chisoko	Zimpapers (Herald)	Box 1040, Harare
51	T. Bote	Daily News	Box 1040, Harare
52	I. Vera	Independent	Suite 23/24 Ernst & Young Bld, 1 Union Avenue
53	Dr P. Tongoona	UZ	Dept of Crop Science , Box MP167, Mt Pleasant
54	Mr B. Mutandiro	UZ	Box MP 167, Mt Pleasant, Harare
55	W. Dirorimwe	CRI	P. Bag 765, Kadoma
56	A. Chimoga	CRI	P. Bag 765, Kadoma
57	D. Mutetwa	CRI	P. Bag 765, Kadoma
58	A. Mudzana	CRI	P. Bag 765, Kadoma
59	F.M. Manyarara	Africa University	Box 1320, Mutare
60	P. Zoromera	Africa University	Box 1320, Mutare
61	Miss C. Chiwara	SAZ	Box 2259, Harare
62	Mr Mbijjewe Kingua	Monsanto & Cargill	Bo 47686, Nairobi, Kenya
63	Lewis Machida	Monsanto & Cargill	Box 5398, Harare
64	Fungai Simbi	Monsanto & Cargill	Box EH 47, Harare
65	Morgen Gondoza	Parliament	Box CY298, Causeway, Harare
66	Mr T. Masiya	Parliament	Box CY298, Causeway, Harare
67	Ms E.R. Doka	Parliament	Box CY298, Causeway, Harare
68	Mr C. Psvarayi	Parliament	Box CY298, Causeway, Harare
69	Mr Musendo	Natbrew	Box ST 699, Southerton, Harare
70	Mrs G.M Sithole	Natbrew	Box ST 699, Southerton, Harare
71	Mr Butaumocho	I.T.D.G	Box 1637, Mutare
72	Mr T. Dube	Solusi University	P.O. Solusi Bulawayo
73	D. Pascoe	C.C.G.A	Box EH191, Emerald Hill, Harare

*Abbreviations

ARC	Agricultural Research Council
BB	Biosafety Board
BRL	Blair Research Laboratory
BTZ	Biotechnology Trust of Zimbabwe
CFU	Commercial Farmers Union
CI	Consumer International
CRI	Cotton Research Institute
DR&SS	Department of Research and Specialist Services
ICFU	Indigenous commercial Farmers Union
MMET	Ministry of Mines, Environment and Tourism
MRS	Matopos Research Station
RCZ	Research Council of Zimbabwe
SAZ	Standards Association of Zimbabwe
SIRDC	Scientific, Industrial Research and Development Centre
SLO	Senior Liaison Officer
TRB	Tobacco Research Board
UZ	University of Zimbabwe
ZCBC	Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference