South Africa
September 12, 2008
Greenlight for CSIR sorghum
trials in bid to improve nutrition in Africa
South Africa's Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) today received
approval from the South African government to undertake
greenhouse trials on genetically modified sorghum. An Appeal
Board set aside an earlier ruling by the regulating authority,
the Executive Council of Genetically Modified Organisms, denying
the CSIR a permit to undertake contained greenhouse trials on
transformed sorghum. The Board was appointed by the Minister of
Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Lulu Xingwana, in accordance
with the country's Genetically Modified Organisms Act (No 15 of
1997).
The CSIR filed an appeal in March 2007, as provided for by the
GMO Act. The CSIR is one of the key scientific contributors in
an international research project to nutritionally enhance grain
sorghum. The Africa Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) Project seeks to
develop a more nutritious and easily digestible sorghum that
contains increased levels of essential amino acids, especially
lysine, increased levels of Vitamins A and E, and more available
iron and zinc.
The project brings together seven African and two US
organisations. South African organisations include the CSIR, the
Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the University of
Pretoria. CSIR Biosciences Executive Director, Dr Gatsha
Mazithulela, welcomed the news: "The application was approved
`in view of the potential scientific impact of the project in
the long term". The decision is in the best interest of
scientific inquiry and provides a basis for making a difference
to the neediest people of our continent.
"This process proves that South Africa has robust regulation. We
respect the fact that decision-makers have an obligation towards
safety and that rigorous investigations are part of the process.
Work on the project will now continue in our level 3 biosafety
greenhouse," says Mazithulela. He says the CSIR and its
consortium partners support biosafety. They are undertaking
additional responsibilities to satisfy the public and the
regulators that the work conducted is ethical, conforms to the
highest safety levels, and is in the interests of the public.
The consortium has already started investigating some
fundamental questions in genetics of sorghum as an additional
contribution to knowledge in this area. Scientific progress will
be documented for scientific review and the organisation will
keep the Minister's advisory panel abreast of developments.
Sorghum is an African crop that is the staple food of millions
of people in sub-Saharan Africa. While it is one of the few
crops that grow well in arid parts, it is lacking in most
essential nutrients and it has poor protein digestibility.
Scientific evidence shows that deficiencies in essential
micronutrients - such as iron, zinc, Vitamin A and others - can
cause impaired immune systems, blindness, low birth weight,
impaired neuropsychological development and growth stunting.
Malnutrition remains a leading direct and indirect cause of the
rise in the many non-communicable diseases, especially in
Africa.
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Bio-fortified sorghum trials in South Africa
receives green light |
Written by
Africa Science News Service in South Africa
Friday, 19 September 2008
South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) received approval from the South
African government recently to undertake greenhouse
trials on genetically modified sorghum.
An Appeal Board set aside an earlier ruling by the
regulating authority, the Executive Council of
Genetically Modified Organisms, denying the CSIR a
permit to undertake contained greenhouse trials on
transformed sorghum.
The Board was appointed by the Minister of
Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Lulu Xingwana, in
accordance with the country's Genetically Modified
Organisms Act (No 15 of 1997).
The CSIR filed an appeal in March 2007, as provided
for by the GMO Act. The CSIR is one of the key
scientific contributors in an international research
project to nutritionally enhance grain sorghum.
The Africa Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) Project seeks
to develop a more nutritious and easily digestible
sorghum that contains increased levels of essential
amino acids, especially lysine, increased levels of
Vitamins A and E, and more available iron and zinc.
The project brings together seven African and two US
organisations. South African organisations include
the CSIR, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
and the University of Pretoria.
CSIR Biosciences Executive Director, Dr Gatsha
Mazithulela, welcomed the news: "The application was
approved `in view of the potential scientific impact
of the project in the long term". The decision is in
the best interest of scientific inquiry and provides
a basis for making a difference to the neediest
people of our continent. "This process proves that
South Africa has robust regulation. We respect the
fact that decision-makers have an obligation towards
safety and that rigorous investigations are part of
the process. Work on the project will now continue
in our level 3 biosafety greenhouse," says
Mazithulela.
He says the CSIR and its consortium partners support
biosafety. They are undertaking additional
responsibilities to satisfy the public and the
regulators that the work conducted is ethical,
conforms to the highest safety levels, and is in the
interests of the public.
The consortium has already started investigating
some fundamental questions in genetics of sorghum as
an additional contribution to knowledge in this
area.
Scientific progress will be documented for
scientific review and the organisation will keep the
Minister's advisory panel abreast of developments.
Sorghum is an African crop that is the staple food
of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. While
it is one of the few crops that grow well in arid
parts, it is lacking in most essential nutrients and
it has poor protein digestibility.
Scientific evidence shows that deficiencies in
essential micronutrients - such as iron, zinc,
Vitamin A and others - can cause impaired immune
systems, blindness, low birth weight, impaired
neuropsychological development and growth stunting.
Malnutrition remains a leading direct and indirect
cause of the rise in the many non-communicable
diseases, especially in Africa. |
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