GMOs in Africa: Status, adoption and public acceptance

Can the molecular and transgenic breeding of crops be an alternative and sustainable technology to meet food demand?

The gradual increase in the worldwide population represents various challenges, and one of the most alarming being the food demand. Historically technological advances led to the development of crops that meets the requirements and demands. Currently, molecular breeding unlocks the genetic potential of crops for their improvement, positioning it as a key technology for the development of new crops. The implementation of OMICs sciences, such spatial and single cell transcriptomics is providing a large and precise information, which can be exploited for crop improvement related to increasing yield, improving the nutritional value; designing new strategies for diseases resistance and management and for conserving biodiversity. Furthermore, the use of new technologies such CRISPR/CAS9 brought us the ability to modify the selected regions of the genome to select the superior's genotypes at a short time and the use of artificial intelligence aid in the analysis of big data generated by OMICS sciences. On the other hand, the application of molecular improvement technologies open up discussion on global regulatory measures, the socio-economic and socio-ethics, as the frameworks on its global regulation and its impact on the society create the public perception on its acceptance. In this review, the use and impact of OMICs sciences and genetic engineering in crops development, the regulatory measures, the socio-economic impact and as well as the mediatic information on genetically modified crops worldwide is discussed along with comprehensive insights on the potential of molecular plant breeding as an alternative and sustainable technology to meet global food demand.

Africa and zero hunger agenda: genome editing policy landscape, challenges and opportunities

Africa has historically struggled to adopt innovative agricultural technologies, which has significantly hindered efforts to ensure food security and improve livelihoods over the past century. A major obstacle in this regard has been the persistent skepticism surrounding the potential benefits of agricultural biotechnology. The challenges contributing to this skepticism include a notable knowledge gap among stakeholders, widespread technophobia, or fear of technology, as well as inconsistencies with global agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBB). Although these challenges are not exclusive to Africa, they disproportionately impact the continent, making the need for effective solutions even more urgent. This paper investigates the national government policy landscape in five African countries that are poised to create a regulatory environment conducive to deploying genome editing technology for improved agricultural productivity. This exploration aligns with the continental agricultural policy initiatives, notably the "CAADP Malabo Declaration" and the soon-to-be-signed "CAADP Kampala Declaration." Aligning with the African Union's continental agenda on agricultural transformation, as outlined in the Malabo Declaration and other key documents, is crucial for adopting innovative agricultural technologies like genome editing. Such alignment becomes increasingly critical for realizing the objectives set forth in the post-Malabo Declaration, with the Kampala Declaration playing a vital role in its implementation. This cohesive approach will not only foster agricultural innovation but also expedite development across the continent, addressing the pressing needs of food security and livelihoods in Africa.

Regulatory framework for genetically modified organisms in the Kingdom of Eswatini

The Kingdom of Eswatini is a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity and to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. As Party, Eswatini has domesticated these agreements by passing the Biosafety Act, of 2012 to provide for the safe handling, transfer, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) in the country. The Act regulates living modified organisms to be used for confined field trials, commercial release, import, export, and transit, and for food, feed, and processing. Guidance is provided for prospective applicants before any application is made to the Competent Authority. This framework also provides for the regulation of emerging technologies such as synthetic biology and genome editing. The regulatory framework for living modified organisms aims to provide an enabling environment for the precautionary use of modern biotechnology and its products in the country in order to safeguard biological diversity and human health.

The recent genetic modification techniques for improve soil conservation, nutrient uptake and utilization

Advances in genetic modification (GM) techniques have generated huge interest in improving nutrient utilization, maximizing nutrient uptake, and conserving soil in the pursuit of sustainable agriculture. Unfortunately, little is still known about the recent advancements in the application of GM tactics to enhance each of these areas. This review explores the latest GM strategies intended to support soil conservation, maximize nutrient uptake, and improve nutrient utilization in farming, highlighting the critical roles that soil health and nutrient management play in sustainable farming. GM strategies such as improving the efficiency of nutrient uptake through enhanced root systems and increased nutrient transport mechanisms are well discussed. This study suggests that addressing potential obstacles, such as ethical and regulatory concerns, is a necessity for long-term sustainability applications of GM technologies to raise agricultural yields.

The Adoption of Genetically Modified Crops in Africa: the Public's Current Perception, the Regulatory Obstacles, and Ethical Challenges

Genetically modified (GM) crops are the most important agricultural commodities that can improve the yield of African smallholder farmers. The intricate circumstances surrounding the introduction of GM agriculture in Africa, however, underscore the importance of comprehending the moral conundrums, regulatory environments, and public sentiment that exist today. This review examines the current situation surrounding the use of GM crops in Africa, focusing on moral conundrums, regulatory frameworks, and public opinion. Only eleven of the fifty-four African countries currently cultivate GM crops due to the wide range of opinions resulting from the disparities in cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. This review proposed that addressing public concerns, harmonizing regulations, and upholding ethical standards will improve the adoption of GM crops in Africa. This study offers ways to enhance the acceptability of GM crops for boosting nutrition and food security globally.

The current status of genetic biofortification in alleviating malnutrition in Africa

Africa is a continent where undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are common and malnutrition is a major problem. Genetic biofortification (GB) offers a promising way to combat malnutrition. But little is still known about how widely used GB is in Africa today. This review explores the status, achievements, and challenges of GB on the continent today. It draws attention to the potential for enhanced nutritional results from biofortified crops that are enhanced with vital elements like zinc, iron, and vitamin A. Biofortification has a demonstrable positive effect on health and wellness, as evidenced by success stories from several African nations. However, obstacles like a lack of farmer awareness, difficulty obtaining biofortified seeds, and complicated regulations make adoption difficult. Research and collaboration advances hold the potential for increasing GB's effectiveness. This study offers guidance for the future and calls for coordinated efforts to implement GB programs to achieve a well-nourished Africa.

Biodiversity assessment and environmental risk analysis of the single line transgenic pod borer resistant cowpea

Background

The discussion surrounding biological diversity has reached a critical point with the introduction of Nigeria's first transgenic food crop, the pod borer-resistant (PBR) cowpea. Questions have been raised about the potential risks of the transgenic Maruca vitrata-resistant cowpea to human health and beneficial insects. Public apprehension, coupled with social activists' calling for the removal of this crop from the nation's food market, persists. However, there is a lack of data to counter the assertion that cultivating PBR cowpea may have adverse effects on biodiversity and the overall ecological system. This research, with its multifaceted objective of examining the environmental safety of PBR cowpea and assessing its impact on biodiversity compared to its non-transgenic counterpart, IT97KN, is of utmost importance in providing the necessary data to address these concerns.

Methods

Seeds for both the transgenic PBR cowpea and its isoline were obtained from the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Zaria before planting at various farm sites (Addae et al., 2020). Throughout the experiment, local cultural practices were strictly followed to cultivate both transgenic and non-transgenic cowpeas. Elaborate taxonomic keys were used to identify arthropods and other non-targeted organisms. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate potential modifications in all ecological niches of the crops. The lmer function of the R package lme4 was used to analyze diversity indices, including Shannon, Pielou, and Simpson. The Bray-Curtis index was used to analyzed potential modifications in the dissimilarities of non-targeted organisms' communities.

Results

Examination of ecological species abundance per counting week (CW) revealed no disruption in the biological properties of non-targeted species due to the cultivation of transgenic PBR cowpea. Analysis of species evenness and diversity indices indicated no significant difference between the fields of transgenic PBR cowpea and its isoline. Principal component analysis results demonstrated that planting PBR cowpea did not create an imbalance in the distribution of ecological species. All species and families observed during this study were more abundant in transgenic PBR cowpea fields than in non-transgenic cowpea fields, suggesting that the transformation of cowpea does not negatively impact non-targeted organisms and their communities. Evolution dynamics of the species community between transgenic and non-transgenic cowpea fields showed a similar trend throughout the study period, with no significant divergence induced in the community structure because of PBR cowpea planting. This study concludes that planting transgenic PBR cowpea positively influences biodiversity and the environment.

Bacterial biosynthesis of flavonoids: Overview, current biotechnology applications, challenges, and prospects

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites present in plant organs and tissues. These natural metabolites are the most prevalent and display a wide range of beneficial physiological effects, making them usually intriguing in several scientific fields. Due to their safety for use and protective attributes, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial functions, flavonoids are broadly utilized in foods, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. However, conventional methods for producing flavonoids, such as plant extraction and chemical synthesis, entailed dangerous substances, and laborious procedures, with low product yield. Recent studies have documented the ability of microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, to synthesize adequate amounts of flavonoids. Bacterial biosynthesis of flavonoids from plant biomass is a viable and environmentally friendly technique for producing flavonoids on a larger scale and has recently received much attention. Still, only a few bacteria species, particularly Escherichia coli, have been extensively studied. The most recent developments in bacterial biosynthesis of flavonoids are reviewed and discussed in this article, including their various applications as natural food biocontrol agents. In addition, the challenges currently faced in bacterial flavonoid biosynthesis and possible solutions, including the application of modern biotechnology approaches for developing bacterial strains that could successfully produce flavonoids on an industrial scale, were elucidated.

Local Sources of Protein in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: How to Improve the Protein Quality?

Protein inadequacy is a major contributor to nutritional deficiencies and adverse health outcomes of populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). People in LMICs often consume a diet predominantly based on staple crops, such as cereals or starches, and derive most of their daily protein intakes from these sources. However, plant-based sources of protein often contain low levels of indispensable amino acids (IAAs). Inadequate intake of IAA in comparison with daily requirements is a limiting factor that results in protein deficiency, consequently in the long-term stunting and wasting. In addition, plant-based sources contain factors such as antinutrients that can diminish protein digestion and absorption. This review describes factors that affect protein quality, reviews dietary patterns of populations in LMICs and discusses traditional and novel small- and large-scale techniques that can improve the quality of plant protein sources for enhanced protein bioavailability and digestibility as an approach to tackle malnutrition in LMICs. The more accessible small-scale food-processing techniques that can be implemented at home in LMICs include soaking, cooking, and germination, whereas many large-scale techniques must be implemented on an industrial level such as autoclaving and extrusion. Limitations and considerations to implement those techniques locally in LMICs are discussed. For instance, at-home processing techniques can cause loss of nutrients and contamination, whereas limitations with larger scale techniques include high energy requirements, costs, and safety considerations. This review suggests that combining these small- and large-scale approaches could improve the quality of local sources of proteins, and thereby address adverse health outcomes, particularly in vulnerable population groups such as children, adolescents, elderly, and pregnant and lactating women.

The legal aspect of the current use of genetically modified organisms in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

Many African nations place a high priority on enhancing food security and nutrition. However, unfavorable environmental conditions interfere with the achievement of food security in Africa. The production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) presents intriguing possibilities for improving food security on the continent. In Africa, countries in the same regions have different GMO usage policies and laws. While some nations are updating their laws and policies to allow GMOs, others are still debating whether they are worth the risk. However, there is still little information available regarding the most recent status of GMO applications in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The current review summarizes the state of GMO applications for enhancing food security in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Currently, Tanzania and Uganda do not accept GMOs, but Kenya does. This study can assist governments, academics, and policymakers in enhancing GMO acceptance for boosting nutrition and food security in their nations.

Genetic engineering and genome editing in plants, animals and humans: Facts and myths

Human history is inextricably linked to the introduction of desirable heritable traits in plants and animals. Selective breeding (SB) predates our historical period and has been practiced since the advent of agriculture and farming more than ten thousand years ago. Since the 1970s, methods of direct plant and animal genome manipulation are constantly being developed. These are collectively described as "genetic engineering" (GE). Plant GE aims to improve nutritional value, insect resistance and weed control. Animal GE has focused on livestock improvement and disease control. GE applications also involve medical improvements intended to treat human disease. The scientific consensus built around marketed products of GE organisms (GEOs) is usually well established, noting significant benefits and low risks. GEOs are exhaustively scrutinized in the EU and many non-EU countries for their effects on human health and the environment, but scrutiny should be equally applied to all previously untested organisms derived directly from nature or through selective breeding. In fact, there is no evidence to suggest that natural or selectively bred plants and animals are in principle safer to humans than GEOs. Natural and selectively bred strains evolve over time via genetic mutations that can be as risky to humans and the environment as the mutations found in GEOs. Thus, previously untested plant and animal strains aimed for marketing should be proven useful or harmful to humans only upon comparative testing, regardless of their origin. Highlighting the scientific consensus declaring significant benefits and rather manageable risks provided by equitably accessed GEOs, can mitigate negative predispositions by policy makers and the public. Accordingly, we provide an overview of the underlying technologies and the scientific consensus to help resolve popular myths about the safety and usefulness of GEOs.

Potential abiotic stress targets for modern genetic manipulation

Research into crop yield and resilience has underpinned global food security, evident in yields tripling in the past 5 decades. The challenges that global agriculture now faces are not just to feed 10+ billion people within a generation, but to do so under a harsher, more variable, and less predictable climate, and in many cases with less water, more expensive inputs, and declining soil quality. The challenges of climate change are not simply to breed for a "hotter drier climate," but to enable resilience to floods and droughts and frosts and heat waves, possibly even within a single growing season. How well we prepare for the coming decades of climate variability will depend on our ability to modify current practices, innovate with novel breeding methods, and communicate and work with farming communities to ensure viability and profitability. Here we define how future climates will impact farming systems and growing seasons, thereby identifying the traits and practices needed and including exemplars being implemented and developed. Critically, this review will also consider societal perspectives and public engagement about emerging technologies for climate resilience, with participatory approaches presented as the best approach.