Environment Court Allows plantation of GMO Maize in Kenya
The court attributed the ruling to lack of enough evidence showing that using GMOs causes harm to human health or the environment.
This is after President William Ruto’s administration had lifted the ban on GMO imports into the country, which ignited a debate.
In march, The president expressed that there is no risk in the use of genetically modified foods since they are consumed in other parts of the world.
President Ruto stated,” All food we import is GMO, to some percentage. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) requires the percentage to be one. But that leaves us paying 30 to 40 per cent more for our imports.”
“South Africa and the USA are 100 per cent GMO. Have you heard of anyone growing horns because of consuming GMO? I am a scientist, I would not endanger the lives of those who elected me,” he added.
The president further highlighted that GMOs can be engineered to be resistant to pests and diseases, hence reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides.
However, his sentiments were highly opposed with people citing that the government did not provide sufficient evidence to show that the modified crops were safe for consumption.
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