South Africa’s - ACGT › wp-content › uploads › 2014 › 07 › ... · KEY MESSAGES 12 1....
Transcript of South Africa’s - ACGT › wp-content › uploads › 2014 › 07 › ... · KEY MESSAGES 12 1....
South Africa’s status with respect to
biotech and biosafety
SA Biotech Timeline
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Instruments: BRICs; NBN;
PUB 2003
Merge into TIA 2009
2009 Outputs:
• 14 platforms established
• 73 projects funded
• Investment into 31 companies
• 221 products & 142 services
• 940 jobs
• 439 bursaries/indirect study
support
• R247 mill leveraged (on R1 bill)
Bio-economy Strategy
development 2009-2013
Functioning NSI 2020
Bio-economy
5% of GDP 2050
Nat Biotech Strategy
2001
Incorporation of ‘learnings’
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Agriculture • Bio-economy strategy: “Responsible genetic
engineering remains a critical technology. And
presents a significant competitive opportunity.”
• Many early stage research projects at universities
including GM, -omics & molecular breeding focusing
on biotic and abiotic resistance, novel products &
improved traits in crops such as maize, sugarcane,
cassava, wheat, forestry & fruit trees, etc.
• Aquaculture (fish & shellfish)
• ARC
- Biotech platform
- Insect resistant GM potato, WEMA 4 4 4
Health
• Vaccines esp. TB and HIV (all imported)
• Diagnostics esp. TB and HIV
• Medical devices (80-90% imported)
• Biopharming
• Biodiscovery
• Indigenous knowledge
• MRC & CSIR
- Vaccine development
- Biopharming
- Biodiscovery
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Industry and Environment
• Enzyme, oils & nutrient manufacturing
• Biofuels (plant- & algae based)
• Wastewater treatment
• Bioleaching
• Biodiscovery) – SA 3rd most biologically diverse
country
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THE SOUTH AFRICAN GMO ACT (Act 15 of 1997)
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From:
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Biosafety Research • Food safety
- CSIR (substantial equivalence maize)
- Food Allergen Consulting & Testing Services (Bt maize
allergenicity)
• Environmental safety - Northwest University (resistance development, non-target
impacts, aquatic health systems)
- Stellenbosch University (contained research on GM abalone,
cis-genetics for sugarcane)
• Socio-economics - University of Pretoria (Bt cotton Makatini Flats, BT & HT
maize, small-scale farmers, impact maize exports to
Zimbabwe.
- University of Ford Hare (Bt maize, small-scale farmers in
Eastern Cape).
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Relevant organisations
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KEY MESSAGES
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1. Appropriate and efficient regulatory systems are key to the utilisation of agricultural biotechnology.
2. Regulation is knowledge intensive and should be science-based.
3. Regulatory decision-making should be robust; based on peer-reviewed evidence and advice.
4. Policymakers should seek to engage African science academies when making decisions on the regulation of agricultural biotechnology.
5. Public participation (& understanding) and transparency is necessary to instil confidence among all stakeholders.
6. Policies and laws can only be successful and effective if there is real political will and conviction.
From: Regulation of Agricultural GM Technology in Africa, ASSAf