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Over the last two weeks this column has been addressing questions of Genetically Modified Organisms (‘GMOs’), Genetic Engineering and Biosafety.  We have described what this technology entails, and illustrated some of the impacts that the use of genetically engineered seeds in farming would be likely to have on our traditional Swazi farming practices.  For example farmers using GMOs do not have the option of seed saving, and are tied into the use of expensive artificial pesticides.  This week we continue our overview of how GMOs are affecting Swaziland, by introducing the topic of genetically modified food aid.

One avenue for the unwitting introduction of GM-seeds into our ecosystem is through food aid programmes.  Swaziland accepts and distributes grain, beans, soya oil and corn-soya blend (CSB) as food aid for communities in drought stricken areas, and it is understood that a percentage of this produce is genetically modified.  Such communities are particularly vulnerable: any potential health danger or nutritional deficiency presented by GM-foods is likely to increase when they are consumed by an immune-depressed population such as one suffering from a lack of food.  Furthermore, the actual GM produce is often banned from public consumption in the ‘donor’ country (usually because of uncertainties about the health impacts of the genetic modification) yet that same donor country is happy to give the banned food to others.

In Swaziland maize plants have been observed growing on the sides of the road to the food aid distribution points and around warehouses.  These are plants that germinated from seeds that fell from the truck travelling from the warehouse to the distribution point, thus demonstrating the real possibility of GM cross-contamination and entry into our natural ecosystem.  Distribution of whole maize kernels (as opposed to ground maize) in the food aid package has allowed GM grains to be planted by destitute farmers in countries with neither biosafety regulations nor the institutional capacity to deal with GM crops, thereby further increasing the risk of genetic contamination.

Whether or not drought-stricken countries accept food aid is a sensitive ethical question for governments, donors, farmers and the general public.  At a time when Swaziland is suffering drought for the fourth consecutive year, and news stories of lavish spending of the nation’s wealth on cars and other luxuries abound, it is perhaps difficult for the country to reject outright the food aid it so urgently needs.  However ensuring GM- maize grains are milled before they arrive in Swaziland should be a minimum short-term precaution and would go some way to preventing uncontrolled diffusion of GMOs.  Simple education programmes could also be run at distribution points to warn rural farmers of the dangers of cross-contamination of GM-seeds.

Watch this column for more articles on environment and sustainable development in Swaziland.

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