Kenya 'effectively' Lifts Ban on Genetically Modified Crops

Oct 04, 2022

Kenya's new president says the Cabinet has "effectively" lifted the country's ban on openly cultivating genetically modified crops, reversing a decade-old decision as the East African country struggles with food security and a deadly drought.

"Open cultivation and importation of White (GMO) Maize is now authorized," the presidency statement said Monday, after years of concerns in Kenya and much of the African continent over the safety of genetically modified foods.

Earlier this year, the United States via its trade representative's office criticized Kenya over its ban and the effects on U.S. agricultural exports to East Africa's commercial hub. The ban also affected food aid, the office asserted in its annual report published in March.

U.S. Trade Rep. Katherine Tai led the U.S. delegation to Ruto's inauguration last month and noted the new president's support for shared "regional priorities" including enhancing two-way trade.

Click here to see more...

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.