Public submissions on the Uganda National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012 reveal potential way forward for Uganda legislators to pass the bill
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Date
2012
Authors
Masiga, Clet Wandui
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Abstract
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an
internationally binding instrument addressing issues of biosafety. Biosafety refers to the
need to protect human health and the environment from the possible adverse effects of
the products of modern biotechnology. Accordingly, all countries to the convention are
required to put in place regulatory mechanisms to enhance the safety of biotechnology in
the context of the Convention’s overall goal of reducing all potential threats to biological
diversity, while taking into account the risks to human health. Therefore, each country
party to the convention has its own procedures to enact laws to guide the safe use
of biotechnology. In Uganda, the process involves the drafting of the bill by the first
parliamentary counsel, approval by cabinet, first reading at the parliament, committal to
the responsible parliamentary sessional committee, tabling of the bill for public hearing,
consultations, and final approval. In Uganda, the Committee on Science and Technology
is responsible for the Biosafety Bill. In March 2013, the Committee tabled the bill for public
hearing and submissions from public institutions. There were comments supporting the
passage of the Bill and comments in objection. The reasons for objection are mainly due
to precaution, speculation, lack of knowledge about biotechnology and biosafety, and
alleged influence from biosafety entrepreneurs. This article reviews these public views,
revealing controversy and possible consensus to pass the bill.
Description
Keywords
Biotechnology, Biosafety, Genetically modified, Parliament, Legislation, Entrepreneur
Citation
Masiga CW (2015) Public submissions on the Uganda National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012 reveal potential way forward for Uganda legislators to pass the bill. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 3:152. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2015.00152