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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.


2008-11-01

The Potential of Genetically Modified Soy to Manage HIV/AIDS in Africa  

Sola, a U.S. soy ingredient company, last week announced that it has a study to determine whether soy products can be used to improve the health of HIV /AIDS sufferers in South Africa.

In collaboration with the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH), and the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, Sola aims to soy-protein drinks for the fight against HIV /AIDS.

This inarguably, is an interesting exercise, but the million-dollar question is? Politics will derail it?

I ask this because the soy Sola is the development of these beverages are genetically modified. About 90 percent of the soybean crop in the United States is genetically modified.

South Africa, on the other hand, is continually a hub of genetically modified crops. According to the latest report by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA), the largest part of the soy crop is currently in South Africa is genetically modified.

Already there are whispers out there that this is just another conspiracy between the biotech industry and universities to exploit the vulnerability of HIV /AIDS sufferers in Africa to market genetically modified products. This is gross distortion of the facts.

Sola and other cooperation partners have pledged to ensure that the results of this study peer-reviewed and published in a respected scientific journal. The argument that junk science will be used to develop this drink is therefore null and void.

Predictably, opponents of genetically modified foods in droves to condemn Sola to try? To force-feed Africans with genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

If this were to happen, anti-biotech activists, most absurd lot in the world. They are used for their sheer hypocrisy and ignorance about genetic engineering.

anti-biotech activists have been shouting from the rooftops that pharmaceutical companies to lower prices for anti-retroviral drugs, even products of genetic engineering (GE).

If genetic engineering is such an unsafe and unacceptable technology, why are anti-GE activists not condemning biotech companies that manufacture anti-retroviral drugs?

The planned soy-protein drink improves the management of HIV /AIDS should be supported by all. It is cheap and easily accessible to many HIV /AIDS sufferers who can? T afford anti-retroviral drugs since Sola plans to make in supermarkets and other outlets.

 

'James uses his communication expertise to create awareness about GM food. To read more about him, go to http://www.gmoafrica.org/

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

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