{UAH} Fw: GMOs: WHOSE INTERESTS DOES NARO SERVE

The National Research Organisation(NARO) is threatening NGOs who are sensitising Ugandans about the potential dangers of GMOs. Whose interests is NARO serving? Is it Ugandans or some dollar-baron somewhere? Government must devise means of safe-guarding our scientists from the clutches of global capital, which seeks to enslave us. Food Security is as sensitive a matter as militairy security. Agriculture and its related research must be given the same attention and budget as that given to defence. We cannot let the sector that is touted as the backbone of our economy into foreign hands. The couuntries purpotedly 'supporting' our agricultural research do subsidise their farmers, including pouring grains into the sea in times of glut, to encourage farmers stay in production.

Uganda must rethink its priorities. We do not need GMOs for food security. There is enough scientific knowledge of natural cross-breeding which can increase yields and disease-resistance without compromising our security. Moreover, staying organic makes even better business sense. A kilo of organic food will fecth 100 times the earnings of a GMO one. So we are safter producting 2 kilos of organic, we sell one, eat one, while earning the same money as one who has sold 100 kg of GMO.

Our scientists, we know it's your stomachs rumbling, not your brains talking. But please, you owe it to Ugaandans and humanity, not to succumb to basic survival instinct. If we all fight togther, we shall all be the winners!!

SANDRA BIRUNGI

KAMPALA