FACTS ABOUT GMOS

on July 1st the Goverment legalised the growth and sale of Genetically Modified foods. which has been the debate this week and i wish to add my voice .Do Kenyans know what are genetically modified foods? what are the advantages and disadvantages of GMOs Genetically Modified foods or GMOs (genetically modified organisms) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for consumption using the latest molecular biology  techiniques. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. 
The benefits of GMOs include:  
Reduction in malnutrition especially in the third world countries where poor people rely on a single crop like rice or maize as the main staple of their diet which does not contain adequate amounts of all necessary minerals and vitamins to prevent malnutrition. if these foods could be genetically engineered to contain additional vitanmins and minerals, nutrient deficiencies could be allevated.   
     Not all GM plants are grown as crops, soil and groundwater pollutions continues to be a problem wold wide. plants such as poplar trees have been genetically engineered to clean up heavy metal pollution from contaminated soil.

     pest resistance. Growing GM foods such as B.t. corn can help eliminate application off chemical pesticides .Consumers prefer to eat food taht has not been treated with pesticides because of the potential health hazards.  Run off of agricultural wastes from excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers can poison water supply and cause harm to the enviroment. 
The disadvantages are; allergies as reported in the USA and Europe  and unknown effects on human health. my concern is with the anti GMO lobby groups who claim that its not been proven beyond reasonable doubt how safe is genetic engineering and are even calling for demonstrations. besides people may have been consuming GMOs knowingly or unknowingly if the reports of presence of GMO maize in the country is anything to go buy. All i ask for is clea labels so taht consumers can telll which are and which are not GMOs and they are leeft to make their own choice. its also important that GOK educates the consumers on GMOs sothat they know what they are consuming.