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No two regions are alike when it comes to the acceptance and adoption of biotechnology. Here youll explore the GMO environment across continents.Marc Zienkiewicz Julie Deering with beta-carotene and iron and the banana is one of Ugandas staple foods consumed by more than 70 percent of the population with almost every meal. The country is second only to India in the production of bananas and most are consumed locally. While Ugandans consume sev- eral biofortified crops most are achieved through conventional breeding methods however breeders say the technicalities in banana breeding present chal- lenges that genetic engineering has helped to overcome. The banana is ready for human trials to test whether the banana produces enough vitamin A to be effective at treating nutrient deficiency. But Uganda does not have a biosafety law that allows scientists to conduct human trials. Any attempt to pass such a law Around the World TWENTY YEARS IN and the adoption of genetically engineered crops around the world continues with 179.7 million hectares planted in 2015 down from 2014s 181 million hectares according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri- Biotech Applications ISAAA. However some coun- tries such as the United States are decreasing the number of acres planted while others such as Brazil are increasing acres. The Top 5 countries planting biotech crops in 2015 are the United States Brazil Argentina India and Canada. South Africa ranks ninth planting 2.3 million hectares of biotech maize soybean and cotton down from expectations due to drought. More farmers are planting biotech crops in developing countries precisely because biotech crops are a rigorously-tested option for improving crop yields says Clive James founder and emeritus chair of ISAAA. Despite claims from opponents that biotechnology only benefits farmers in industrialized countries the continued adoption of the technology in developing countries disproves that. Biofortification in Africa While GM technology can deliver agronomic benefits to farmers it can also deliver nutritional benefits to consumers. The potential of the GM banana is just one product of biotechnology that excites Mark Lynas a former anti-GMO activist who is now a pro-GMO author and journalist who focuses on climate change. Iowa State University has developed a GM banana that produces higher levels of Pro-vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is responsible for stunted growth and devel- opment as well as impaired vision. In rural areas an increasing percentage of the population is at risk of malnutrition. According to the 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey Vitamin A deficiency affected one out of five young children and women of reproductive age resulting in impaired resistance to infection and consequently higher levels of illness and mortality. Its out of need that Uganda and its crop breeding programs are placing a priority on enhancing crops 16 SEEDWORLD.COM JUNE 2016 The banana is a staple crop in Uganda and biotech makes biofortification possible.