Biotechnology students are optimistic that the recent court decision to dismiss petition that challenged lifting of the genetically modified organisms will open up job opportunities for them.
The students expect a boost in biotechnology research and education following the recent lifting of a decade-long ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Speaking during a forum for university leaders, Registrar of Research at the Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium chair Prof. Richard Oduor said a number of graduates in areas genetic engineering, bio chemistry and food science courses have missed job opportunities due to the 12 years ban.
The courts recent decision is a win for many scholars in the bio tech field, we expect more doors to be opened for our graduates and increased research in this field.
Prof Oduor further noted that now there is also an opportunity to create other additional and newer courses that will speak to the emerging trends in biotechnology something he termed as critical for the university.
Dr. Joel Ochieng, a Senior Research Fellow and Leader of Agricultural Biotechnology the University of Nairobi (UoN) maintained the government’s decision to lift the ban on GMO is because the court was satisfied there was sufficient regulatory systems in place to assure people of the safety of people, animals and the environment.
He noted that when GMO products are commercialized and considering the production capacity of the country at the moment is still far lower than the consumption requirement which is estimated at 2 million metric tonnes forcing the country to always import, this will address part of the food production.
“With the lifting of ban on GM by courts, as a student we see light at the end of the tunnel for the country where we will have lots of food produced, promoting environment conservation through reduction of using a lot of pesticides and also going on to further gene engineering and new science which is coming in synthetic biology,” said Carol Ndegwa, a university student.
Erick Korir from the National Biosafety Authority has assured Kenyans any GMO crop that will be certified by the body for stocking will be safe, for both human consumption and the environment.
“We have BT cotton that is already with the farmers, the BT maize has received regulatory approval from the authority and awaiting the variety registration and release and we have Cassava that has also gotten approval and is undergoing the National Performance Trials (NPTs),” he added .
Korir says the regulator will continue to holding stakeholders meeting across the country on BT crops especially maize that he says might be rolled out early next year.
