The African Biofortified
Sorghum (ABS) project, an international research
collaboration aimed at improving the nutritional value of
sorghum, will continue to engage with the South African
government in efforts to proceed with contained greenhouse
trials on sorghum with improved nutritional value.
The announcement follows a January 30
decision by South Africa’s Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
Executive Council that the application by the Council for
Scientific and Indstrial Research (CSIR) to conduct contained
greenhouse experiments on genetically modified sorghum had been
rejected.
ABS Project Coordinator, Dr. Florence
Wambugu said "the permit decision is a temporary setback, but we
have our hands full and we will continue with the other aspects
of the project while we seek to resolve issues raised by the
authorities".
CSIR Biosciences Executive Director, Dr
Gatsha Mazithulela said: "We are extremely disappointed, as we
have an obligation to do research to improve the lives of the
people of this country and continent. The CSIR remains committed
to the safe and responsible development and application of
biotechnology in South Africa and on the African continent. We
will investigate every avenue possible to continue with this
research because this research is crucial from the perspective
of an African nutrition crisis".
The African Biofortified Sorghum (ABS)
Project is part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded
Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative, a major effort to
achieve scientific breakthroughs against diseases that kill
millions of people each year in the world’s poorest countries.
Announced in mid 2005, the grants totaling US$436.6 million
covered a broad range of innovative research projects involving
scientists in 33 countries. The ultimate goal of the initiative
is to create "deliverable technologies"
health tools that are not only effective, but also inexpensive
to produce, easy to distribute, and simple to use in developing
countries".
At the time of the initiative’s launch,
Bill Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
said: "It’s shocking how little research is directed toward the
diseases of the world’s poorest countries. By harnessing the
world’s capacity for scientific innovation, I believe we can
transform health in the developing world and save millions of
lives".
The African Biofortified Sorghum
(ABS) Project is part of the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation-funded Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative
which focuses on harnessing the power of science and technology
to dramatically improve health in the world's poorest countries.
The goal of the ABS Project is to improve the nutrition of
sorghum in order to promote the health of millions of people who
rely on it as the main food source. For additional information,
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