Africa urged to drop resistance to biotech crop research, GM food

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2005

NAIROBI (AFP) — A leading international agricultural policy group urged African nations to drop opposition to biotechnology crop research and genetically modified foods, saying such a step could dramatically improve food security on the impoverished continent.

Researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPR) said removing regulatory and legal hurdles to GM food and research fit perfectly with Africa's stated desires to feed its people and protect the environment.

Joel Cohen, a senior IFPR researcher, said across Africa "nations and farmers all alike are looking for ways to improve food security" and that "African biotechnology can be one, but by no means only be part of the solution."

"But this may never be known if publicly developed...