Elioda Tumwesgye, Ugandan Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, has reaffirmed government support toward the passage of a Biosafety Bill under parliamentary debate. The Minister spoke as he officially opened the Agri-biotechnology and Biosafety Communication (ABBC) 2017 Africa Symposium.
“Agri-biotech communicators must remain steadfast in sharing factual information on the technology, amid mis-information, myths and misconceptions,” he said. While acknowledging that there are concerns and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed, he commended Ugandan researchers for their relentless effort in engaging parliamentarians and providing factual information on the science amid controversies delaying passage of the bill.
“When scientists undertake to communicate about their innovations, there is usually a positive impact in adoption,” Minister Tumwesgye said.
ABBC 2017, whose theme was strengthening communication for improved biosafety management was attended by more than 100 participants, mainly heads of regulatory agencies and their communication spokespersons. It is a partnership between ISAAA AfriCenter, New Partnership for Africa’s Development-African Biosafety Network of Expertise, National Agricultural Research Organization, and Uganda’s Biotechnology Information Center and Program for Biosafety Systems.
In her opening statement, Margaret Karembu, ISAAA AfriCenter director, said that ABB’s idea was conceived to provide a platform for agri-biotech and biosafety stakeholders to actively exchange experiences and best practices toward improving communication on the technology.
“At this conference, we converge to be aware that biosafety communication is an often neglected aspect of the risk analysis and decision-making process for genetically modified organisms,” she said.
Karembu urged participants to innovate communication techniques that can address communication gaps, thus building confidence in the biosafety systems and enabling the safe and beneficial use of agri-biotechnology especially in Africa.
The keynote speaker at the conference, Mahaletchumy Arujanan from Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre challenged agri-biotech communicators to counter misinformation.
“In adopting agri-biotechnology, we must ask ourselves whether it is a matter of lifestyle or safeguarding livelihood,” she said.
