For thousands of years, humans have relied on traditional modification techniques, such as selective breeding and cross-breeding, to cultivate plants and animals with desirable traits. However, these methods often lacked precision and took considerable time to yield desired results. The advent of genetic engineering in the 1970s brought a transformative shift, enabling scientists to modify organisms more precisely and efficiently by incorporating specific genes, even from unrelated species. This advancement gave rise to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) — organisms engineered for improved agricultural performance or valuable pharmaceutical production. Today, the discussion around GMOs in Guyana is not about whether they exist, but about how effectively they are monitored and regulated.
Guyana, with its rich agricultural heritage, faces the dual challenge of enhancing food security while safeguarding its environment and biodiversity. The focus, therefore, must be on establishing a robust and transparent regulatory framework to manage GMOs in a manner that aligns with national goals for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. The Environmental Protection Agency, as outlined by the EPA Act Cap 20:05, is the regulator, and has a responsibility to monitor GMO activities. In doing so, the country would have signed on to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport, and use of living-modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health. It was adopted on 29 January 2000, and entered into force on 11 September 2003.
Key regulatory frameworks and institutional roles
NAREI’s mandate for plant genetic resources
The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is recognized as Guyana’s national focal point for the management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Since 1994, NAREI has been explicitly acknowledged by the International Conference and Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ICPPGR) as being responsible for a wide variety of genetic stocks, including GMOs, conventionally-bred varieties, special genetic stocks, farmer-bred varieties, wild relatives, etc. NAREI’s research covers crops like peppers, sweet potatoes, cassava, coconut, pineapple, and others with commercial potential, in line with its mandate to strengthen the nation’s agricultural programme.
While NAREI manages these resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the only agency authorized to grant permission for bioprospecting activities. This distinct responsibility of the EPA emphasizes its critical role in ensuring environmental safety and ethical access to the country’s biodiversity.
Given the overlapping responsibilities, establishing clear boundaries and mutual responsibilities between NAREI and the EPA is essential. For instance, EPA and NAREI must collaborate on managing wild relatives of indigenous crops in order to prevent potential disruptions to biodiversity. Such inter-agency cooperation would ensure alignment of NAREI’s agricultural research with EPA’s environmental guidelines, including the development of natural pesticides, without compromising either objective.
Benefits of GMOs for Guyana
Despite the regulatory challenges, GMOs present significant benefits for Guyana’s agricultural sector:
1. Increased agricultural productivity: GMOs can be engineered to withstand pests, diseases, and harsh weather conditions; leading to higher crop yields. This is crucial for key exports like rice and sugar in a country prone to unpredictable weather patterns.
2. Reduction in pesticide and herbicide use: The introduction of crops such as Bt cotton and Bt corn, which produce a natural insecticide, could reduce the need for chemical treatments, thereby lowering costs for smallholder farmers and reducing environmental impact.
3. Enhanced nutritional value: Nutrient-enriched GM crops can address malnutrition issues that are prevalent in certain regions of Guyana. For example, in March 2024, aiming to combat nutritional deficiencies and improve public health outcomes, Guyana introduced a biofortified rice variety enriched with zinc.
4. Climate change adaptation: With Guyana’s agriculture facing climate risks, the development of GM crops that are resilient to flooding, droughts, and other adverse conditions is essential for ensuring food security and protecting farmers’ livelihoods.
Considerations and challenges for introducing GMOs
While the benefits are clear, several considerations must be addressed to ensure the safe and sustainable integration of GMOs into Guyana’s agricultural landscape. Among these are:
1. Environmental impact: Introducing GMOs poses risks to native plant species and local ecosystems. The potential cross-breeding with wild relatives could disrupt Guyana’s biodiversity. Careful assessment and regulations are needed to prevent environmental harm.
2. Regulatory framework: A well-structured regulatory framework is essential to monitor the cultivation and distribution of GMOs. Regulations should encompass labelling, environmental protection, and food safety in order to build consumer and international trade partner trust.
3. Information sharing and stakeholder collaboration: Stakeholders in Guyana have called for increased information sharing and a transparent database on international exchanges of plant materials. A clear framework for data sharing would facilitate better decision-making and policy formulation.
Conclusion
Guyana stands at a critical juncture, where embracing GMOs could lead to significant advancements in agriculture and food security. However, this must be done cautiously, with a strong regulatory framework that prioritizes environmental protection, public safety, and transparency. With effective collaboration between NAREI, the EPA and other stakeholders, Guyana can harness the benefits of GMOs while ensuring sustainable and ethical agricultural development.
