While giving a key note speech at a training workshop on industrial biotechnology in Harare this week, University of Zimbabwe professor Christopher Chetsanga has shot down Government claims that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a health hazard.
Said Professor Chetsanga:
Biotechnology has offered a number of medical assistance which include molecular diagnosis of diseases, genetically engineered insulin for diabetes which is now produced in large quantities and costing much lower prices. Then there is the human growth hormone developed in biotechnology for proper growth of children, then also vaccines for hepatitis B virus. Unfortunately, there are continuing false rumours about GMOs being health hazards to humans. In fact this is really unfounded. There is no evidence in support of it. I worked extensively with GMOs when I was a professor in the US (United States). That country has developed numerous GMO products and its people have consumed GMOs for almost 20 years now. There has not been any report of people being harmed by these.
However, Higher Education deputy minister Godfrey Gandawa who also attended the workshop warned Professor Chetsanga against criticising Government policy.
More: NewZimbabwe.com