THE EDITORIAL NEWS

TAKE INTEREST IN GMO, GENOME-EDITING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT .... Science ideas which are not backed by scientific evidence are ultimately rejected-NBA By Alfonso Kasongo Amidst controversy surrounding  the introduction of live genetically modified organisms and other related biotechnological bred products in the agriculture sector,Zambia's biotechnology regulator has assured the nation that the country has the capacity in form of human resource and infrastructure not only to regulate the gene science but also its application in research and development, content use as well as placing GM products on the market. This came to light when National Biosafety Communications Officer, Sandra Lombe,on behalf of the Authority Chief Executive Officer, Lackson Tonga, disclosed that Zambia currently has seven biotechnology laboratories with the capacity to detect the required amount of GMOs safe for both human and animal health and environment through risk assessments. GMOs are organisms whose

MY THOUGHTS ON THE NEW,VALIDATED DRAFT GENE POLICY FOR ZAMBIA Thanks for reading my posts on GMO/ National Biotechnology and Biosafety draft policy (Zambia).My inbox is full of questions, what's the agenda behind your write-ups? To answer you all,I don't have any hidden agenda about GMOs and other related (gene) techniques in our agriculture. My simple and straightforward agenda is for the nation (Zambians) to seriously begin to talk about the gene technology, it's badness and goodness. Therefore, we can not serious engage with a policy which is at a verge of being amended. What is more concerning is the new draft and validated document (policy),it is not in public domain ,where the public can easily access it. Lastly but crucial is the framing of the  new draft which was mainly pro-industry.  The worst part is that the liability and redress clause is framed in such a way that the ‘users’, thus our farmers, will be the ones held liable for the negative outcomes (contaminati

JOURNALISTS IMPLORED TO EXPLORE ISSUES SURROUNDING COTTON  ....especially at groundroot levels to change the cotton and fashion narrative. By Alfonso Kasongo Amidst increased adverse effects of climate change, consumers and producers of fashion,globally are grappling with questions of sustainability. At the same time, the globe is witnessing a groundswell of farmers, demanding more equitable and just livelihoods.   To address such concerns, Cotton Diaries and a Growing Culture have partnered to initiate Cotton at the Source, an initiative that will broaden and deepen the understanding of cotton, the most widespread non-food crop in the world. HyoJin Park,  a press relations Lead at the Growing Culture says journalists and socialists remain important in broadening and deepening the understanding of cotton as they have the responsibility of informing the public discourse. Speaking during a  Cotton at the Source  press forum,that aims at shifting the cotton narrative, Ms. Park,emphasises

ZAMBIA NEEDS SOIL BASED ECONOMY-SHENTON By Alfonso Kasongo With the adverse effects of climate change becoming more luminous,threatening the country's food security,  an environmentalist Rolf Shenton has insisted the need for investment in soil so as to build a soil-based economy. The setting up of a soil-based carbon economy, within this emerging financial space, has the potential to deliver a paradigm shift that will accelerate climate change mitigation, and concurrently realize net gains for soil health and the delivery of soil ecosystem services. Zambia has seen worst effects of climate change in 20-years with over 60 percent maize crop in the 2023-2024 farming season being destroyed due drought. The situation has since been declared a national disaster by Republican President Hakainde Hichilema. And Mr. Shenton says a soil-based economy remains key in positioning  the country in readiness for climatic shocks and those which could be triggered by diminishing natural resources

GOVERNMENT HAS COMPROMISED ZAMBIA'S FOOD SECURITY . ..South Africa started buying Non GM maize for cereal from Zambia after parents, health workers in that country saw an increase of behavioral disorders in children for consuming cereals made from GMO maize, says former foreign minister. By Alfonso Kasongo Zambia's foood security has been compromised hence the government's schemes to import country's staple food made from Genetically modified maize from South Africa, Former Foreign Affairs minister has revealed. Harry Kalaba,former Foreign Affairs minister under the Patriotic Front government, now,a  leader of opposition Citizens First (CF) is disheartened by the comments from  Vice Republican President Mutale Nalumango that GMO Mealie meal is safe for human consumption. Mr. Kalaba has reminded Zambians that South Africa has been buying maize from Zambia because of the policies around non-GMOs.  "South Africa started buying maize for cereal from Zambia after parent

DRINKING OF KACHASU TO AVOID,TREAT CHOLERA WAS A MENTAL ISSUE, SAYS PSYCHIATRIC EXPERT . ..and poor nutrition in adults due to alcohol itself  was one of the major challenges to case management to save lives in most cholera patients,who were alcohol abusers. By Alfonso Kasongo Drinking of Kachasu, a high potent local brew (spirit), to avoid and treat cholera was triggered by anxiety ,fear of unknown among residents in high risk areas, a renowned mental health specialist ,Dr. Naeem Dalal has disclosed. And Dr Dalal adds that poor nutrition in adults due to alcohol itself  was one of the major challenges to manage cases to save lives in most patients with high  alcohol intake. Dalal discloses that such patients had their hydration compromised by alcohol especially Kachasu and other high percentage alcoholic beverages (spirits),locally known as tujilijili. In an interview with the Editorial News, to ascertain the impact of cholera  ourbreak on mental health, Dr. Dalal says the  epidemic i