Scientists in Africa who are trying to develop modern crop-breeding techniques and genetically modified (GM) seeds are being hampered by an array of regulatory issues. Only a few of the one nations to sign up to the Convention on Biological Diversity and Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety have put laws in place to allow scientific work to be carried out. The absence of action leaves countries such as Uganda uncertain about the future commercialisation of GM crops. In addition, the current regulatory framework between African nations does not prevent the unregulated spread of GM seeds.
Scientists in Africa who are trying to develop modern crop-breeding techniques and genetically modified (GM) seeds are being hampered by an array of regulatory issues. Only a few of the 40 nations to sign up to the Convention on Biological Diversity and Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety have put laws in place to allow scientific work to be carried out. The absence of action leaves countries such as Uganda uncertain about the future commercialisation of GM crops. In addition, the current regulatory framework between African nations does not prevent the unregulated spread of GM seeds.