Scientists in Uganda have developed a genetically modified banana, known as Banana21, with the potential to save thousands of children in the country who die annually from vitamin A deficiency. However, the superfruit still faces several obstacles before it can be put to use.
The 'super banana' was developed after two decades of research. Scientists combined a banana variety native to New Guinea, the Asupina, which is rich in provitamin A, with other banana varieties that are easier to cultivate and have a better taste.
Regrettably, the Ugandan government has not yet approved the sale of genetically modified foods. While legislation regulating biosafety was passed in 2017, it is currently being revised, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has not yet signed it into law.
Wilberforce Tushemereirwe, the director of the lab where the banana was created, accused European non-governmental organizations of spreading doubts about genetically modified food. "It’s only fears of people who have more than enough to eat, and that fear is being transmitted to people who have no food, who are dying of starvation," he said. "I feel very disappointed and frustrated about the slow political process that is listening more to a small minority of anti-GMO Ugandans who are against the release of provitamin A bananas and not to the science that would have saved children’s lives."
Source: thecooldown.com