Preview

Agricultural Biotechnology in Kenya

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
6883 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Agricultural Biotechnology in Kenya
Agricultural Biotechnology in Kenya
Final Draft

Introduction Agricultural biotechnology is one scientific invention that continues to cause debates within the world. Although one country may see great benefits for the technology, another may reject it due to cultural and ethical beliefs. Within the following paper, it will be a goal to research the background of biotechnology and to determine if this invention can solve many problems within the continent of Africa and specifically the country of Kenya. It is no secret that Kenya has been under developed as well as under privileged for quite some time. In order for Kenya to develop and reach its potential of a business partner with other countries, it must find a technological advancement to not only provide for its own population but also provide substance to other areas as well. The use of agricultural biotechnology holds this promise for Kenya. We will take a look at not only the culture of Kenya but also explore the positive and negative impacts that biotechnology may have on this third world country.

Kenya’s Culture

Kenya is a republic government that achieved independence on December 12, 1963 and within the next year joined the Commonwealth of Nations. Jomo Kenyatta, a member of the large Kikuyu ethnic group and head of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), became Kenya 's first President. The minority party, Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU), representing a coalition of small ethnic groups, dissolved itself voluntarily in 1964 and joined KANU (US Department of State, 2011). As of August 2010, Kenya made a referendum of its constitution and now has an executive, legislative and judicial system. The National Assembly has a number of members that are elected for 5 year terms. The Executive Branch consists of a president (chief of state, commander in chief of armed forces), prime minister (head of government), and two deputy prime ministers. The Legislative Branch consists of a



Bibliography: ABSF, (Retrieved October, 2011). Status of biotechnology in Kenya. Retrieved from http://www.absfafrica.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid =11 Africa Travel (Retrieved Nov 2011). Go Africa. Retrieved from: http://goafrica.about.com/library/bl.mapfacts.kenya.htm Avita Medical, L KARI, (Retrieved October, 2011). Kenya agricultural biotechnology support project. Retrieved from: http://www.usaid.gov/locations/subsaharan_africa/sectors/ag/biotechnology/kenya_ag_bi otech_support.pdf Kebaso, G Kenya finally publishes bio-safety bill. (2007, September). Bivision. Development through biotechnology, 6, 1. Retrieved from http://www.biovisioneastafrica.com/publications/Vision_6.pdf Mareck, E Ndiritu, C. (Retrieved Oct. 2011). Kenya, biotechnology in Africa: why the controversy? University of Pennsylvania - African Study Series, Retrieved from http://www.cgiar.org/biotech/rep0100/ndiritu.pdf Nevin, T Scoones, I. & Glover, D. (2009, August 13). Africa 's biotechnology battle. GM Watch.Nature, 460, 797-798. Retrieved from http://gmwatch.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11409:fricas- biotechnology-battle Taverne, D USDA (Retrieved October, 2011). Biotechnology. Retrieved from http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=BiotechnologyFAQs.xml&na vid=AGRICULTURE US Department of State (Retrieved November, 2011) Wambugu, F. (1999, July 1). Why Africa needs agricultural biotech. Nature, Vol.400, Retrieved from http://www.stradanove.net/news/testi/bio-02b/africa.pdf

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Monsanto Harvest with Fear

    • 5210 Words
    • 21 Pages

    Duvick, D. (1995). Biotechnology is compatible with sustainable agriculture. Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Ethics, 8(8), 112-125.…

    • 5210 Words
    • 21 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    * Summary of Field Note: Kenya full of fertile farmland but many are hungry. Why don’t they grow food for themselves? Most of Kenya is owned by foreigners and Kenya needs the foreign revenue…

    • 1502 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    module 6 dba

    • 3227 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Kenyatta (6.06): Jomo Kenyatta led the Kenya African Union (KAU), which fought for independence. Jomo Kenyatta was the leader of Kenya from independence in 1963 to his death in 1978, serving first as Prime Minister and then as President. He is considered the…

    • 3227 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    So this study aims to explain and give more understanding to the pros and cons of the genetically modified organism. It also aims to answer the questions; 1) What are the impacts of genetically modified organisms to human health and the environment. Is it safe or risky? And 2) Can GMOs be safe and useful in achieving sustainable…

    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    However, the pioneer biotechnology invention has to go through regulatory processes and stakeholder’s scrutiny, before it can enter the market. There are ethical concerns over the plant-based medicines and opposition coming from consumer advocates, environmentalists, rice farmers and food safety activists.…

    • 1049 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Miss

    • 8881 Words
    • 29 Pages

    Cultural Considerations When reflecting on the cultural and socio-economic considerations of genetically modified organisms, (GMOs) it seems to be a realization that these considerations are not receiving the same amount of attention as the scientific and technology facets of the science. The GMO movement gives the impression that the argument about acceptability of genetically modified organisms and its uses is focused primarily on the scientific and technical aspects that are only available to the professionals in those areas, scientists and technologists. There are reasons why it is difficult to find a variety of information regarding the cultural and economic impact regarding GMOs. The most prominent of these reasons is the novelty of the science of genetically modified organisms.…

    • 8881 Words
    • 29 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Technology has improved the human species by providing information around the world, leading to developments in different countries. Biotechnology is improving the world of medicine, agriculture, and energy production. In the medical world, technology has a big impact by helping scientists and doctors figure out how to fight off diseases and viruses. For example, there are two individuals, one who has malaria and the other has built up a resistance to malaria. Knowing that an individual has built up resistance to malaria can help, simply by taking a sample of their blood and uploading it to a computer. Scientists will trying to figure out what is the cause for this resistance to malaria, they will have to break down the DNA of the individual who is immune and simply extract the gene repelling malaria. With this knowledge there will be fewer deaths to groups of individuals who have not genetically build up a resistance to malaria in high risk countries. The downfall to biotechnology in the medical world is finding test subjects that will comply with the testing’s. Once the scientists and doctors find a concrete solution, they will be approved by the FDA to release their material to the general public. In the agricultural world, technology has helped us improve plants to become more stable and be able to sustain life in certain temperatures. With the creation of the microscope, we can see what genes we can take out the plant and add to the plant cell, so it can become a super plant. As we grow, global warming is causing the Earth to become hotter each year. Therefore we are then creating plants that can sustain life with less water than the original. We know that with every step we take to advance in this world there is a downfall. The downfall for biotechnology in the agriculture world would be time…

    • 1132 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    “Biotechnology has been used for more than 6,000 years for lots of interesting and practical purposes: making food such as bread and cheese, preserving dairy products and fermenting beer” (Biotechnology - Promising a Brighter Future for the World). Although we do not always realize it, biotechnology is a huge part of our everyday lives, from the medicine we use to keep us healthy, the fuel we use to take us where we need to go, and even the food we eat and the sources it comes from, biotechnology already plays, and must continue to play, an invaluable role in meeting our needs. Biotechnology uses cellular and bio-molecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. It has granted us the ability to overcome physiological barriers and to exchange genetic materials among living organisms. Genetically modified foods are the latest contribution of biotechnology. These foods are being made by inserting genes from an external source such as viruses, bacteria, animals or plants into a usually unrelated species. The use of recombinant DNA technology has the potential to allow humans to create desired and designed foods.…

    • 1154 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Monsanto Persuasive Essay

    • 1346 Words
    • 6 Pages

    In a world where the population is growing at an alarming pace, the agricultural biotech corporation Monsanto and its scientists are now trying to create solutions to feeding the people more abundantly. Many claim that the solution to end famine start and end with speeding up the process of growing food. Nearly 15 percent of United States households struggle to put food on the table and by growing food faster it may decrease this statistic. Genetically modified foods have been researched and put in to practical applications very fast throughout the world. This new technology to alter all things natural has put a monkey wrench in our food supply system. The frontrunners of Big Agriculture Monsanto, DuPont, and Syngenta are strong-minded that world 's populations continue to be ignorant…

    • 1346 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Biotechnology In Gattaca

    • 903 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Biotechnology is one of the most exciting and amazing technologies this world has seen. Biotechnology is the use of living organisms or biological processes to develop useful agricultural, industrial, or medical products. In other words, biotechnology is the procedure of using organisms and their components to create useful things for humans. As a matter of fact, people are being aware of this new technology through different types of entertainment like movies, TV shows, and video games. As more obstacles arise in our world, biotechnology is being used in many different ways and forms to resolve the problems and make our planet vigorous again. Speaking about biotechnology, the movie Gattaca is an outstanding example of the use of this new and…

    • 903 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Sci 207

    • 1819 Words
    • 8 Pages

    While there are some promising aspects to possible improvement in the quality of the food supply for both livestock and humans through genetic engineering, but there is little hope of using it as a solution to end world hunger. The world hunger crisis has more to do with economics and politics than supply and production. Society seems to realize that investment’s in agriculture…

    • 1819 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Pro Gmo Research Paper

    • 1512 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), an organism who’s DNA has been altered in such a way that it would be more beneficial, has garnered great debate as to whether or not it is harmful or if it will be the crop of the future. Many scientists believe that GMOs have the possibility to end world hunger as well as produce a higher density of crops which would result in less deforestation. This could lead to lower cost for, not only farmers, but the consumers as well. Secondly, the enhancing of certain genes will give the ability to plant crops in third world countries in which crops are very hard to maintain and keep alive. With the use of GMO seeds that are hardened for that specific environment, the ability to keep world hunger at a minimum…

    • 1512 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    “Most people regard genetic engineering as something that will happen tomorrow. They are wrong. Biotechnology is here today” (Mann, 1999, p. 113). Some people may laugh at the idea that genetic engineer like the type seen in Gattaca is possible, but already “genetically engineered crops cover an estimated one-quarter of all cropland in this country” (Maafo, 2001, p. 84). While genetic engineering is only being applied at crops at the moment, one has to wonder how long it will be before humans are genetically engineered and what will be the implication of such actions.…

    • 1248 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Anti Gmos

    • 2412 Words
    • 10 Pages

    “Rifts Emerge in Scientists’ Views on Safety of GMO’S.” African News Service. (November 2013). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. November 2013.…

    • 2412 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Genetically modified food products are a major product innovation. GMOs are simply the modern version of farming techniques used for centuries (Rich, 2004). The main goal of the Africa Rice Center is to alleviate poverty and food scarcity by using research, development, and partnerships to increase rice production and profitability in Africa (Thorne, Ferrell, & Ferrell, 2011). GMO crops could be the solution to helping Africa feed the population. Although there is lots of controversy surrounding the use of GMO, I believe that it a plausible solution that should be researched.…

    • 285 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays