Table of contentsIntroductionSignificance for international developmentAdoption of genetically modified foods (GMOs) in African countriesConclusionReferencesIntroductionIn the 21st century, with the rapid advancement of technology, agriculture has witnessed a transformational change. People are now exploring new avenues of food production, moving away from traditional farming methods and adopting innovative approaches. If the 20th century was characterized by the importance of silicon-based technologies, the 21st century is undeniably the era of biology. An important aspect of this biological revolution is the advent of genetically modified foods, which is the subject of this essay. These genome-enhancing agricultural technologies hold immense potential for reducing poverty and hunger among African smallholder farmers, as explored in Matthew Schnurr's work on “The Genetic Revolution in Africa” (2019). Unlike before, today there are new technologies that can be used for gene editing, making genomic manipulation easier and accessible (Schnurr, 2019). Controversies surrounding this new technology have led individuals to polarize and politicize it. However, it helped the farmers by giving them a voice. Various stakeholders, including policy makers, positively support the adoption of technology provided it meets the needs of end users. This article explores Schnurr's genomic agricultural technologies and their impact to ensure development in countries facing hunger, particularly developing African countries. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayImportance for international developmentGenomics includes the analysis of the genetic composition of living things, which is found in their deoxyribonucleic acid and d other ribonucleic acid molecules. Genome editing therefore allows plants to characterize gene functions and improve their agricultural characteristics. Genomic biotechnology has the potential to open up new opportunities and innovations in various sectors. It is an engine of economic growth and improvement in the quality of life of populations around the world. In contemporary society, the world's population is increasing, the climate is changing, and there is pressure to create new crops that are drought-resistant and use fewer chemicals. Genomics has the potential to accelerate this process, by giving crops agronomic characteristics. In the international context, genomic sequencing is important to revolutionize food security, supporting agriculture, for example, through animal, plant and public health and food security. It also prevents the outbreak of diseases and improves agriculture through effective animal and plant breeding. Through genomic crops, the health of a growing global population can be improved and the environment will be preserved through reduced use of pesticides and other chemicals that pollute the soil. Finally, increased food production will ensure a longer lifespan. Schnurr explores biotechnologies that can be used developmentally and commercially. These include marker-assisted breeding, hybrids, genetic engineering and tissue culture. Adoption of Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) in African Countries Schnurr argues that genetically modified foods (GMOs) are not widely used inmost African countries because they are not designed to meet consumer needs. to the needs of small farmers on the continent. They are uniquely designed to meet the needs of large-scale commercial agriculture in countries like South Africa and irrigated farms, particularly cotton plantations in Sudan. However, for small farmers, seeds have no value. For example, in countries like Uganda, distributed cotton seeds protect against bad pests, requiring the use of pesticides to maintain them. In Burkina Faso, the fibers produced are of poor quality. Researchers spread the seeds in a top-down manner, and they do not understand the economic and social situation of poor farmers (Schnurr, 2019). Over the past ten years, research has been carried out to diversify experimental crops and traits and prioritize those that fit small crops. large-scale farmers in Africa. The focus is on carbohydrates that had previously been ignored after failed attempts at improvement. These include sorghum, cassava, cowpea and cooking banana. Traits that appear beneficial to farmers are prioritized, including drought resistance, biofortification, and resistance to local pests and diseases. For example, experiments are underway, including nutritionally improved Kenyan sorghum, drought-resistant cooking bananas in Uganda and, in West Africa, insect-resistant cowpeas. Drought-tolerant crops tend to produce twenty percent more yield than regular hybrids. While Schnurr explores all of this, he fails to address the safety and environmental risks associated with GMO foods, saying they are "relatively minimal." It focuses primarily on government regulations and why GMO foods are “pro-poor.” However, the big question is: is it true? Firstly, few countries on the African continent have adopted the use of GMO foods, and in some countries such as Kenya, the use of GMO foods has been suspended, with Burkina Faso willing to abandon the use of GMO seeds . Academics such as Bill Gates have stood up to argue that genetically modified foods are necessary to combat hunger and poverty in Africa. Countries like Burkina Faso are the largest and most important adopters of genetically modified foods (Schnurr, 2019). However, in recent years they have shown interest in withdrawing from the use of Bt cotton. Why is this? Adopted in 2003, Burkina Faso was one of the first African countries to adopt Bt cotton, which made news. In 2014, Bt cotton served more than 140,000 small farmers. Since then, many farmers have adopted the technology and, compared to conventional cotton, Bt cotton produces 50% higher yields and profits. Additionally, fewer pesticides are used, saving labor time. However, Bt cotton seeds are quite expensive and despite the yields, they do not offer quality for most farmers. Producers have made claims that the fiber is less desirable and of poor quality, resulting in lower prices in the international market. . Additionally, the machines produce a small amount of cotton, which means low profitability. Farmers who supply their cotton to companies have regulated prices and, due to poor quality, these companies are moving away from Bt cotton. This raises questions aboutthe future of genetically modified foods on the continent. Does this bring benefits or is it detrimental to farmers? Researchers and distributors of genetically modified crops do not take into account the needs of poor small farmers. In Kenya, genetically modified foods have raised the issue of health and safety, with diseases such as cancer spreading and cases increasing. Experiments done to prove this by feeding genetically modified corn to rats revealed high rates of cancer, prompting the government to ban the foods. However, the ban was lifted and it is one of the few countries in Africa to have adopted the use of genetically modified foods. Schnurr also fails to look for other reasons why genetically modified foods have failed in Africa. However, in chapter two of his book, he focuses on the rules and regulations enforced by governments as the reason why African countries have not adopted the use of genetically modified foods. Regulations prevent countries from using genetically modified crops or selling products made from genetically modified foods (Rotimi, 2019). Before genetically modified foods are marketed in Africa, governments require a regulatory regime that meets food safety and environmental standards. Most corporate donors are still willing to operate in countries without such regulations, for example Kenya. This has sparked debates about regulations and the possibility of African countries adopting genetically modified crops that will transform agriculture. Recently, these companies have been pushing for regulatory efforts at regional and continental levels, with the goal of having a centralized mechanism that addresses all African countries. They argue that “one size fits all” is needed to enable the distribution of genetically modified foods across the continent (Shilomboleni, 2020). In countries like Uganda, an analysis of the regulatory process for genetically modified foods shows overlap between the institutions and personnel responsible for promoting and regulating this biotechnology. The analysis shows that the people who are invested in ensuring the success of the technology are the same people who make the decisions about accountability and oversight of the technology. Various proponents have argued that for the technology to be successful on the African continent, political will is needed to improve current regulatory structures for safe consumption of genetically modified foods. However, the real challenge lies in establishing separate promotion and regulation due to limited national capacities in most African countries (Schnurr, 2019). South Africa and Kenya are the few countries to have legalized the planting of genetically modified foods, and they have had major success. In Kenya, the planting of GMO crops is legalized, with the government's top priority being ensuring food security. Countries like Malawi, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Mozambique, Cameroon and Swaziland are new players in the adoption of genetically modified foods. Of these countries, only Ethiopia and Nigeria allow commercial planting of genetically modified crops, with cotton being the only crop planted. This means that governments do not legalize the planting of food crops. Although Schnurr has conducted an in-depth country-by-country analysis of the use of genetically engineered foods, 1-12.