Jordanian scientists hope that advice and information from biotechnology experts can help them weigh the pros and cons of applying biotechnology in the Kingdom. Scientists from around the world are participating in a three-day conference entitled "Biotechnology in Agriculture - Present and Future" organized jointly by Balqa applied university’s department of agricultural technology, and the national center for agricultural research and technology.
During the conference, officially opened on Tuesday, experts will exchange experiences and the latest results of their respective organizations and countries and speak about future possibilities of biotechnology application in agriculture.
Biotechnology on the international level is already being used to improve both plant and animal production. But the use of biotechnology — also known as genetic engineering — is a highly controversial subject worldwide. The US already widely applies it, but the European public has shown considerable resistance to genetically modified products, while European legislation is prohibitive.
"The main aim of this conference is to listen to what scientists from the US and Europe say. Right now, we in Jordan are somewhere between the two standpoints. Many foreign companies now are trying to sell their genetically modified products, such as seeds, to Jordan. But we do not have any rules to either accept or refuse these products," Ghandi Anfoka from the department of agricultural technology at Balqa applied university, told the Jordan Times.
The opportunities for applying biotechnology in Jordan would be numerous and could be tailored to the specific problems facing local agriculture. Genetically engineered crops that consume little water would help overcome Jordan's chronic water shortage, while soil salinity in some parts of the Jordan valley could be conquered by creating crops that withstand such saline soil conditions.
Another possibility is to make plants resistant to insects and fungi, thereby reducing environmental and health hazards posed by pesticides and fungicides that are often used excessively in Jordan.
Even viral diseases, which are widely spread in the Jordan valley, could be successfully fought by genetically modified plants.
"A virus called 'yellow leaf cure virus' attacks 90 to 95 percent of all tomato plants in the Jordan valley of tomatoes grown in the open field. Spraying pesticides or fungicides does not protect plants against the virus. But a genetically-engineered plant would be made resistant to this virus," said Anfoka.
Anfoka believes that such sensitive technology should only be used in order to avoid damage.
But "playing around and genetically modifying cotton to yield blue, instead of white cotton, as done in the U.S., to save blue dye to produce jeans, was not a rational way to use this sensitive technology," Anfoka said.
"One cannot say that genetically modified crops are 100 per cent safe [if consumed by the human being]. This can only be certified when scientific tests will have been conducted [over a long period of time]. But I believe that we should give biotechnology the chance to be tested," Anfoka said. "One has to make mistakes in order to learn from them," he added.
Although there are no severe negative side effects known to be caused by the application of biotechnology, scientists warn that it is yet too early to rule out a long-lasting negative impact on both humans and the environment.
Jordan so far has no legal framework to regulate the application of biotechnology or control commerce with foodstuff containing genetically modified derivatives.
"We do not know if there are genetically modified foodstuffs on the Jordanian market. Until now, we do not have rules, any company can sell its products in Jordan, and be silent about what they contain. We do not have a law saying that companies have to inform us that a product is genetically modified or whether it contains possible genetically modified derivatives," Anfoka said.
The national bio-safety committee, set up in 1999, is collecting information on other countries' handling of biotechnology and is working to set up a legal framework for Jordan. "Jordan will sign the bio-safety protocol next year.
Then, companies will have to inform us when exporting products that are genetically modified or contain genetically modified derivatives. All these products will have to be labeled [to make consumers able to distinguish these products]," Majid Zo'bi, chairman of the national bio-safety Committee, told the Jordan Times on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony.
"The most important thing for the consumer is that he will have the choice to decide for or against such a genetically modified product. Therefore, such a genetically modified product has to be labeled," Anfoka said.
The conference is patronized by crown prince Hamzah and will last until September 7. On September 6-7, the venue of the conference will be the Balqa applied university in Salt. — ( Jordan Times )
By Dana Charkasi
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
