GM Banana in Uganda in Five Years?
July 27, 2012| |
Banana with six times the normal level of vitamin A will soon join the apple in keeping the doctor away. Uganda's National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) acting director Andrew Kiggundu hopes for the genetically modified banana to be available in five years time.
Kiggundu said that 52 percent of children under the age of five in Uganda suffer from vitamin A deficiencies and can lead to stunting. Iron deficient anemia accounts for 40% of deaths among this age group and 30% of deaths in pregnant women. "There will be considerable debate both pro and against the technology but we are very optimistic that the (GM commercialization) law will be eventually passed. We have been engaging at a top level and the message we have been receiving is that they will probably support the projects and eventually have them with the farmers."
The research project is supported by the Ugandan government, NARO, the Bill & Melissa Gates Foundation, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
View the original article at http://www.freshfruitportal.com/2012/07/24/new-gm-banana-could-solve-ugandas-nutrition-challenges/.
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