Samuel Gudu Odundo Professor of genetics and Plant Breeding, Department of Biological Sciences, Moi University
Africa requires immediate solutions to the urgent problems and challenges of food insecurity, malnutrition, poverty, environmental degradation and human health. While various solutions and options for addressing these problems and challenges are being sought, agricultural experts warn that the situation is urgent and is increasingly getting worse. Genetically modified (GM) crops are heralded as alternatives offering potential solution to some of these problems and challenges. However, the use of GM crops is controversial and is polarized into two strongly opposing views: those for and against, with a large number of the population holding a range of positions in between. Professor Gudu, a plant breeder and molecular biologist, shared his views and thoughts with the University community and the general public on why he believes that gene technology will offer significant solutions to problems and challenges facing Africa and particularly Kenya. Ethical and bio-safety issues and the growth of GM technology in East Africa was discussed. The lecture focussed on Challenges of Poverty, Food Insecurity and Malnutrition; Environmental Challenges; Human Health Challenges; Can GM crops be a suitable alternative for Africa's agricultural challenges?; History of Genetics and Discovery of Genes; Production of Genetically modified Crops; Genetically Modified Crops Debate; Benefits of GM Crops; Concerns over Genetically Modified Crops; GM crops debate dialectics; Future Trends; and Growth of Biotechnology in Africa. For More Information, Contact:
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