By Nurudean Ssempa, South Africa

There are concerns recently raised in the media about genetically modified crops/Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Indeed, a few years ago, Zimbabwe refused 10,000 tonnes of GM maize despite the fact that it had been hit by drought induced famine, arguing that the GM strains could contaminate the local crops. Some countries like Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia have also expressed concerns in the recent past.

However, based on scientific wisdom, Europe’s stringent measures against GMOs cannot be copied and pasted onto Africa’s situation. Yes, there are serious concerns about GMOs, but let’s face it, we are already on our way to a GM regime. Some GMO products are already in our local supermarkets; the planting of GM seeds/crops is already taking place in the countryside and it is growing day by day.

In addition, public-private funded research at national research institutions about GMOs is ongoing. Instead of moving against the tide, it’s better to find African solutions to the problem, driven by well trained and sincere Africans and taking into consideration issues like bio-safety, ethics, impact of GMOs on the environment, intellectual property rights and access to seeds by small-scale farmers.