Articles in the September 18, 2009 Issue of Crop Biotech Update

NEWS Global • ISAAA Mourns the Loss and Pays Tribute to its Founding Patron, Nobel Peace Laureate Norman Borlaug, 1914 - 2009  • UN Report: World Falls Short on Pledges to Attain MDG Goals  Africa • Degree Course on Biotech and Biosafety Launched at Kenya's Moi University  • Empowering the Seed Sector in Africa  • Media Coverage of Biotech in Kenya Inadequate  • FAO, World Bank Give Helping Hand to Zimbabwean Farmers  Americas • New Pest Found in Ohio Soybeans  • Insecticide-Free Control of Soybean Aphids  • Brazil Approves New GM Corn Varieties  • Scientists Find Evidence of Casuarina Hybrids  • Pioneer H-Bred, Asoyia Expand Ultra Low Linolenic Soybean Agreement  Asia and the Pacific • Chinese Research to Benefit Pakistan's Agriculture Sector  • Hybrid Rice Training Center Launched in China  • Origin Agritech Gets Glyphosate Gene Deal  Europe • BCPC Welcomes New BBSRC Strategic Plan  • GMO Crops Can Help Climate and Environment  • Halophytic Micro-algae: New Source of Biofuel  • CIRAD To Complete Banana Genomic Sequence  • Unapproved GM Linseed Found in Germany  Research • Disabling Instead of Adding: A Novel Way of Breeding Disease-Resistant Plants  • Scientists Closer to Drug-Free Cannabis Plants  • Chlorophyll Breakdown Products as a Tool for Studying Plant Cellular Processes  Announcements • GCARD- E-consultations  • Interdrought III Conference in China  • New Journal: GM Crops  Document Reminders • US Wheat Growers Orgs Publish The Case for Biotech Wheat

Degree Course on Biotech and Biosafety Launched at Kenya's Moi University

A degree course in biotechnology and biosafety was launched at Moi University in Kenya School of Science, Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) on September 11, 2009. The new degree program was developed by Dr. Donald F. Otieno and other colleagues in the DBS with support from the Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS). Contributions were also made by PBS partners at Michigan State University's Institute of International Agriculture.

Through course work, seminars, field and laboratory training, this new degree program will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of biotechnology and biosafety as well as biosafety regulatory processes and how these can be implemented and properly enforced to support agricultural and biotechnological innovations. The official launching ceremony was presided over by Moi University Chancellor Bethwell Ogot who said the first and foremost challenge facing Kenya and Africa in general is the fight to eradicate poverty and hunger. He pointed out that scientific and technological innovations are fundamental in solving problems of poverty, hunger and food security. The Chancellor noted that the North-South gap in harnessing biotechnology in Africa constitutes a major technological divide that can be bridged by capacity building in biotechnology and biosafety.

During the event, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications' (ISAAA) AfriCenter Director Margaret Karembu made a presentation on "Communicating Agricultural Biotechnology: The Role of Universities".

For more information contact Dr. Donald Otieno of Moi University at dfotieno@yahoo.co.uk

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This article is part of the Crop Biotech Update, a weekly summary of world developments in agri-biotech for developing countries, produced by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, International Service for the Aquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications SEAsiaCenter (ISAAA)

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