Ugandan biotech students express concern over delay in passing biotechnology bill

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Dear Mr Matia Kasaija,
We are a group of alumni and students of Biotechnology, Makerere University. We thank the government for investing in us to study advanced courses in science and technology, which will increase the global competitiveness of Uganda. However, we wish to express our concerns regarding the delay in passing the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012.

This Bill seeks to regulate the development and use of modern biotechnology products, including GMOs, in Uganda. . . .

. . . .

Without the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Law, it means research and development in this field is compromised; it is going to lose funding, while GMOs will be allowed to enter the country without any regulation. The number of unemployed youth, especially those trained in this field, is also likely to increase and the country will experience more brain-drain. Young people are likely to look for greener pastures elsewhere, more so in countries that have approved GMOs. At the same time, the government will loss control over the GMOs that enter the country as well as products of other more recent modern biotechnology that need to be regulated. . . .

As the ministry responsible for planning for this country, we request that you support passage of the Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill into law so that we, who have gained the knowledge and skills, can to contribute to using this technology for national development or we provide services in regulating the technology. . . .

Makerere University Biotechnology Students Association,
[email protected]

Read full, original post: Letter to Finance minister Kasaija

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