GM Livestock Experiments to Begin in Uganda

“We are planning to start genetic modification of livestock to check the serious seed crisis in the country. Biotechnology is here with us and is the only way to go,” revealed Dr. Okasaai Opolot, the Commissioner for Crop Production and Marketing in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

This was during a meeting of biotechnology stakeholders held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala recently, reports Check Biotech. Check Biotech say that genetically-modified crops are also being experimented to boost food production. The dwindling fish stocks in Ugandan waters could be averted with genetically modified species.

Currently, the country is facing an increase in food prices because of increased demand. This could lead to a shortage of food in Uganda as poor farming methods and weather vagaries are also affecting production.

Ugandan scientists are already experimenting with genetically modified banana and cotton. In biotechnology, a gene is extracted from a crop or animal and inserted into another for a desired effect. In countries like Japan, fish, animals, flowers have been genetically modified, and one of the latest results is the blue roses.Opolot said local animals would undergo genetic transformation to get desired traits. These include quick maturation, diseases and parasites resistance, better beef and milk productivity, skin quality and multiple offsprings.

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