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A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques are generally known as recombinant DNA technology. With recombinant DNA technology, DNA molecules from different sources are combined in vitro into one molecule to create a new gene. This DNA is then transferred into an organism and causes the expression of modified or novel traits.

Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods produced from GMO that have had their DNA altered through genetic engineering. GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. The most common modified foods are derived from plants: soybean, corn, canola cotton seed oil and wheat.


2008-04-06

How Nepad and the UN Can Save Africa's Agriculture  

Last week, twenty United Agencies (UN) organizations met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to explore how they can help, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) to reach their objectives.

Nepad 's main task is to end chronic poverty in Africa, especially the integration of innovative agricultural technologies, such as biotechnology, in African countries "economies.

Agriculture as a mainstay of most African countries economies, Nepad, the resources at various agricultural-based UN agencies to facilitate its rejuvenation. It is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has, for many years the protection of the rights of African farmers. The World Health Organization (WHO), on the other hand, was very resourceful in the expert guidance on food safety , the first, a memorable statement that genetically modified foods are not against health risks consumers.

It must, however, be noted that the success of this initiative depends to a large extent on the willingness Nepad, the African farmers and policy makers to come be productive agricultural technologies, including biotechnology. UN organizations alone can not bring prosperity in Africa. African farmers and policy makers need to recognize that the world, now is a global village, where the countries freely technologies.

Nepad share has already discernible progress in Africa convincingly integrate modern agricultural technologies, such as biotechnology, in their economies. Nepad's science and technology secretary, policy briefs, conferences and position papers, has been actively wooing modern agricultural biotechnology, such as the new border to food security.

Just three months, Nepad a draft position paper on the possible applications of modern biotechnology in the African countries economies. order to be submitted during the African state meeting in January next year, the paper, among other things, calls on African governments to the modern biotechnology in the developing their plans. It calls for an integrated approach to agricultural biotechnology.

All these efforts are commendable, but Nepad do more. order to ensure maximum benefits from Africa, for example, modern agricultural biotechnology, Nepad must intensify efforts to assist African Governments measures to develop biosafety. You can do this by volunteering assistance.

Collaboration technical work with a UN body such as the World Health Organization (WHO), which is already active in research on the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), would be helpful. such an agency can help to correct misinformation observed that the debate over genetically modified foods.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Wachai

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