Dr. O. N. Muchena Hon Minister of State for Science andTechnology Development in the Office of the President and Cabinet.	Group Photo of Delegates Click here for larger image

Dr. O. N. Muchena's Speech The Chairperson, Dr. John Mugabe, Executive Secretary of the NEPAD Science and Technology Forum, Dr. Lindiwe Sibanda, Chairperson, FANRPAN; Professor Joachim von Braun, Director General, IFPRI; Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: INTRODUCTION It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome you to this very important Southern Africa session of the African Policy Dialogues on Biotechnology...We could say that debatesand arguments over the role, safety economic and social implications of biotechnology and its products in Africa have brought us here. Biotechnology is a very contentious and explosive issue. You may recall the diverse responses of countries in the sub-region when the issue of Genetically Modified (GM) food aid became a reality. more