The author of this uncompromisingly pro-GM letter in the Kenyan press, advises Africans to forget any doubts about the benefits of GM crops for Africa's farmers: "Wherever GM crops have been commercialised, they have brought benefits and enhanced farmers' income, and improved farm productivity". (Compare and contrast this claim with 'Broken promises: GM crops fail developing countries' http://www.i-sis.org.uk/BrokenPromises.php )

Nor does he think African governments should worry over much about placating the critics, "Africa would do well not to waste too much of its precious resources on this "democratisation" of technology."

This is a point he's keen to emphasise - Africa, he writes, "should not spend inordinate time deliberating on various issues of biosafety, environmental impacts and socio-economic impacts just to satisfy the global opponents of biotechnology".

So who is "Shantu Shantaram, MD, USA" - the author of this letter. Surely, it couldn't be that well- known Indian GM supporter, Shantu Shantaram. Shantaram is based in the US and is well known for his frequent pro-GM contributions to the Indian media.

If it is then, as so often, Shantaram fails to disclose that he was formerly employed by Syngenta. While there, he developed PR strategies for biotech projects in the developing world.

Now Shantaram has his own "consulting firm", Biologistics International Corporation, advising on "biotechnology risk assessment, biosafety capacity building, and biotechnology policy development and analysis".

He couldn't be touting for business in Africa, could he? Surely not. As he says himself, "A myriad of international institutions [almost invariably funded by the industry and/or the US!] are on the ground providing capacity building assistance in the areas of biotechnology stewardship."

On the other hand, Shantu Shantaram of Biologistics International Corporation may just have a similarly minded namesake, as we're sure he would never stoop to presenting himself to the African media as a doctor of medicine rather than the man formerly part of the world's biggest GM giant.

For more on Asia and Africa's pro-GM lobbyists, see http://www.gmwatch.org/africa.asp and http://www.gmwatch.org/asia.asp
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Africa can't afford to miss out on GM foods
Daily Nation (Kenya), 11/5/2004, Letters
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=23&newsid=19103

Most parts of Africa face many problems of development including environmental degradation and inefficient agricultural production systems.

When it comes to agriculture, Africa sorely missed out on the Green Revolution, but it should not miss out on modern biotechnologies that are environmentally-friendly and economically beneficial.

As much as there is already so much of needless controversy about the safety, utility and appropriateness of GM crops, there is overwhelming evidence from around the world to demonstrate that GM crops technology is not only superior, but also economically beneficial even for subsistence farmers.

African countries are grappling with the issues biotechnology management and governance. A myriad of international institutions are on the ground providing capacity building assistance in the areas of biotechnology stewardship.

These lessons must be learnt fast and be implemented by the governments of Africa to facilitate safe but expedient transfer of technology.

Although African countries need to employ democratic methods to convince their citizenry to adopt modern biotechnologies, they should not spend inordinate time deliberating on various issues of biosafety, environmental impacts and socio-economic impacts just to satisfy the global opponents of biotechnology.

It is important all these issues be addressed using the best possible scientific evidence, and farmers be informed about the risks and benefits of biotechnology.

African farmers cannot afford to wait for the benefits of any technology, let alone GM crops, to improve their miserable condition.

There is a worldwide movement to democratise biotechnology as a response to the protestations of the global biotech protest industry.

Huge amounts of money are being spent to satisfy the critics of biotechnology, some of whom refuse to be convinced. Africa would do well not to waste too much of its precious resources on this "democratisation" of technology.

Instead, it should directly reach out to the public and farmers by demonstrating the risks and benefits of technology in a pragmatic manner, and expedite technology transfer to those who need it most.

Africans must know that GM crops are as safe as any other varieties of crops introduced into agriculture and their benefits far outweigh any possible risks as evidenced by thousands of risk assessments done all over the world.

More than 350 million Americans have been growing and eating GM foods since 1996 without any proven adverse effects to human health or the environment.

In fact, if anyone really cares for the environment, he or she should then support modern biotechnology that offers a solution.

Africans must know that no modern technology, much less biotechnology, is a "silver bullet" option to all the problems of society, but it certainly can be a potent tool that holds enormous potential.

Wherever GM crops have been commercialised, they have brought benefits and enhanced farmers' income, and improved farm productivity.

Africa is being helped by the world community of scientific and policy experts to carefully consider all issues surrounding modern biotechnology, and it must beckon biotechnology for the overall well-being of its people.

S. Shantaram
MD, USA

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