Kenya approves trials for genetically modified vaccines to combat livestock diseases

A government veterinarian vaccinates livestock in Naivasha following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the sub-county. The county government has banned the movement of livestock following an outbreak of the disease. [Antony Gitonga/Standard] The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has approved field trials for testing Genetically Modified (GM) vaccines aimed at controlling various livestock diseases. One of the primary diseases these vaccines are expected to address is Rift Valley Fever, which affects cattle, goats, sheep, and camels. This approval comes amid ongoing litigations regarding the lifting of the GMO ban, which have hindered the full implementation of the authority's mandate. According to the authority's Chairperson, Professor Jenesio Kinyamario, significant progress has been made in ensuring that GMO products are safe for human consumption. Professor Kinyamario stated, "The authority has approved field trials for testing GM vaccines for the control of Rift Valley Fever in cattle, goats, sheep, and camels." He also mentioned that trials have been approved for other genetically modified crops, including Resistant Sweet Potatoes in Kakamega, Biofortified Cassava at Alupe in Busia County, and late blight-resistant Irish Potatoes in Molo. Additionally, the blight-resistant Irish Potato is undergoing trials in Muguga (Kiambu County) and Njambini (Nyandarua), while drought-tolerant maize and the African Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) are being tested in Kiboko, Makueni County. The authority has approved several genetically modified crops, such as Bt cotton, Bt maize, and virus-resistant cassava, which are now approved for environmental release and are undergoing National Performance Trials (NPT). The Chairperson further noted that several policies and manuals have been approved, including those on labelling GMOs, Genome Editing, and the appointment of Biosafety Inspectors. Additional manuals cover areas such as Asset Management and Liability, Risk Management, Data Protection, and ICT policy, all designed to help fulfil the authority's legal mandate. "Despite these developments, the ongoing litigations regarding the lifting of the GMO ban continue to restrict our ability to fully implement our mandate," he added. Earlier, the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) announced the release of eight new varieties of Genetically Modified (GM) cassava for trials. KEPHIS Managing Director, Professor Theophilus Mutui, stated that these eight varieties have successfully passed Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) tests, as well as National Performance Trials (NPT). He emphasised that all new GM varieties must complete both trials before they can be approved for release and commercialisation. "Eight GM cassava varieties have undergone DUS and NPT and are now ready for consideration for release by the National Performance Trials Committee," he concluded.

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Kenya approves trials for genetically modified vaccines to combat livestock diseases

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