A new draft law governing biosafety has been approved by the Rwandan government, in a move towards the regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) .
The bill, approved on July 13, 2023, aims to address potential risks associated with GMOs, protect biodiversity and preserve the integrity of the environment, according to the Rwandan Environment Management Authority (REMA ), according to the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa.
Genetically modified (GM) crops are those into which genes have been inserted from the same or unrelated organisms using genetic engineering methods, as defined by the United Nations food and agriculture (FAO).
These genes provide beneficial traits such as resistance to pests, the ability to thrive in extreme conditions, and increased nutrient levels.
Under the proposed biosafety bill, persons or institutions intending to engage in activities involving the use, handling, marketing, import or export of living modified organisms (LMOs ), commonly referred to as GMOs, would be required to obtain authorization from the competent authority.
Social movements and indigenous peoples oppose the UN Food Systems Summit and call for real change in food systems.
