MY THOUGHTS ON THE NEW,VALIDATED DRAFT GENE POLICY FOR ZAMBIA

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 (contamination, crop failures, toxicafication, etc), rather than the owners or holders of the patents.  And our government using taxpayers' money will be responsible for paying for the long term impacts.
For example the Kabwe mine pollution, without proper liability and redress provisions in place, the owner of the technology will walk away with millions, whilst the people and government are left to clean up the mess.
These are some of issues other stakeholders through the Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity   wanted to be properly addressed.

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The author is an award-winning journalist based in Lusaka, Zambia, with over six years of experience across various media platforms, including print, online, and television. With a keen interest in environmental issues, climate change, science, particularly biotechnology, and agroecology, his reporting often explores the intersection of traditional beliefs and modern scientific advancements in Central and Southern Africa. His passion for journalism is matched by his skills in news gathering, writing, editing,dissemination, and analysis,exceptional nose for news as well as public relations. The author's work has brought critical attention to public health challenges, such as the cholera outbreak in Zambia, where he highlighted the tension between traditional remedies and government efforts to promote medical treatments. He has also delved into the impact of climate change on local economies and ecosystems, including the decline of edible insects as studied by the University of Zambia. His articles provide a comprehensive view of the broader implications of climate change on food production and the risks of hunger in Africa, while also addressing the challenges of managing climate financing with transparency and accountability. In addition to his environmental and public health reporting, the author has a strong interest in gender issues, governance, and current affairs. He has covered Zambia's role in global vaccine research, including participation in clinical trials for tuberculosis and shigellosis vaccines, and has reported on the National Biosafety Authority's regulation of GMOs. His work is enriched by insights from a diverse range of stakeholders, from government officials and local traders to traditional healers and international organizations like AUDA-NEPAD, ensuring a well-rounded perspective on the stories that shape the African continent.

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