BIOTECHNOLOGY AS BASIS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

SUMMARY FOR THE MULTI-STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE SEGMENT OF THE WSSD PREPCOM IV MEETING¹

1. Why is the WSSD so important for biotechnology in South Africa?

The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) will be an important opportunity for biotechnology stakeholders in South Africa since the decisions made at this Summit will result in many new initiatives and a climate for further development of biotechnology. Such decisions could include:

1. Better access for developing countries to global markets.

2. Increased investment for developing economies.

3. Resource commitment, e.g. support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)

4. Technology development and transfer from developed to developing countries to facilitate the strengthening of the local biotechnology industry.

The potential of biotechnology to stimulate economic development and support sustained development – from industrial development to the development of small-scale and emerging farmers, particularly in Africa - will be emphasised at the WSSD. It is also hoped that from the WSSD the current lack of skills and funding in biotechnology will be important components of the North – South dialogue.

During the WSSD South Africa needs to focus on poverty alleviation, land degradation, increasing food production, providing better access to good quality water, reducing the destruction and pollution caused by mining, combating the effects of desertification, reducing the rapid population growth, resolving the problems of crime and civil strife and halting the loss of biodiversity. In many of these areas, biotechnology can make a positive contribution. For example, biotechnology can make an important contribution to the national priorities of South Africa in the areas of human health (including HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB), food security and environmental sustainability. At present some of the benefits of biotechnology include plant tissue culture (bananas, palms and soya), raising disease-free propagating material, genetic fingerprinting of crops, genetic diagnostics, more effect animal breeding leading to embryo transfer and sperm banks. Some of the benefits of modern biotechnology for small scale farmers have been seen in the cultivation of Bt cotton in the Makhatini area of KwaZuklu/Natal that has resulted in lower pesticide usage and higher yields. The cultivation of Bt maize also promises less pesticide use and reduced mycotoxin levels in the edible product.

On a global scale, biotechnology can play a significant role in the solution of problems identified in Sections III and V of the Millennium Declaration – “Freedom from want” and “Sustaining our future”. Issues that include fighting disease, conserving the soil, preserving forests, fisheries and biodiversity.

2. What is the role of biotechnology in Agenda 21?

Environmentally-sound management of biotechnology is an important item of Agenda 21. In this context biotechnology is defined as the integration of the new techniques emerging from modern biotechnology with the well-established approaches of traditional biotechnology.

In South Africa, biotechnology promises to make a significant contribution to the development of better health care, enhanced food security, improved supplies of potable water, more efficient industrial development processes for transforming raw materials, support for sustainable methods of afforestation and reforestation, and detoxification of hazardous wastes. It also offers new opportunities for global partnerships.

¹ Prepared by AfricaBio on behalf of its members and other biotechnology stakeholders in South Africa.

Agenda 21 seeks to encourage international agreement on the safe and responsible management of biotechnology, to engender public trust and confidence, to promote the development of sustainable applications of biotechnology and to establish appropriate enabling mechanisms, especially within developing countries. In this regard all biotechnology stakeholders in South African should:

(a) Take specific action, within the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity, to increase the contribution of the private sector, financial, academic and research institutions, non-governmental organizations and other major groups, to facilitate the role of research and development, financing of biotechnology, capacity-building, risk management and:

(b) Give high priority to measures aimed at integrating biotechnology, including biosafety concerns into development policies and programmes.

A positive step to the achievement of these objectives has been taken by the Department of Arts, Culture, Science & Technology with the publication of “A National Biotechnology Strategy for South Africa” in June 2001. This Strategy is designed to make up for lost ground and to stimulate the growth of similar activities in South Africa.

The National Strategy recommends the establishment of a Biotechnology Advisory Committee (BAC) under the auspices of the Cabinet’s Economics Cluster, to be responsible for implementing of the strategy, co-ordination of biotechnology R&D and alignment with national priorities.

A key component of the strategy is the creation of several regional innovation centres (RICs) to act as nuclei for the development of biotechnology platforms, from which a range of businesses offering new products and services can be developed. The National Strategy also recommends that Government supports, financially and politically, the formation of the BAC, which will be responsible for the implementation of this strategy.

The National Strategy also recommends that the Government complete a number of important revisions to the legislative and regulatory environment, including the extension of the activities of the Bioethics Committee and the revision of the Patents Act. Attention must also be given to the development of the appropriate human resources and to the public understanding of biotechnology. It is Government’s responsibility to ensure that new biotechnology products or services do not threaten the environment or human life, or undermine ethics and human rights.

3. Areas of concern

In South Africa there are a number of areas of concern regarding the future development and application of biotechnology for sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

Public awareness - There is a general lack of understanding of the scientific basis underlying the potential benefits, risks and ethical and environmental issues of biotechnology. Scientists do not communicate biotechnology issues in language understood by the public while media reports are often sensational and contain insufficient information to adequately inform the public.

Concerned about the safety of GMOs has lead to the drafting of labeling regulations by the National Department of Health. While the labeling of GMO foods will allow consumers to make an informed choice it has implications, not only for the implementation of an effective labeling system (and the costs involved), but also for the general literacy level of the South Africa population.

South Africa has been fortunate to escape the extreme reactions of public and environmental organizations to GMO foods seen in the USA and Europe but at the same time the Internet has been used to distribute and propagate the same arguments in South Africa.

Human Resources - Despite the several centers of research excellence in South Africa there is a general lack of adequate expertise and skills because:

· Although many graduate students are well trained, there are limited opportunities for these graduates in academic or industrial positions.

· The general climate is not conducive to the development of biotechnology and this limits the job prospects of even the most innovative individuals.

· The remuneration packages for trained and experienced biotechnologists in South Africa are very poor.

· Graduates entering the job market lack the skills that are required to stimulate a biotechnology industry. There is a need for greater emphasis on entrepreneurial and innovative skills in local training programmes.

The future availability of human resources in biotechnology is a key concern. In this regard the Government is faced with the situation that out of 21 million adults, about 8 million are illiterate and another 7 to 8 million are only functionally literate. The Government is spending about 22% of the national budget on education so that additional expenditure is not likely to be forthcoming. The solution will have to be sought in better use of the money that is available for education.

Partnership with the private sector - In South Africa there has been little support for the commercialisation of biotechnology and therefore there are relatively few biotechnology companies.

Funding - In South Africa, about R127 million is available for biotechnology research and development mainly from Parliamentary grants to science councils, competitive funds, Department of Education funding to higher educational institutions, private local and international donors and funding agencies. A further R182 million per annum is earmarked under the National Biotechnology Strategy for funding the BAC, the RICs and the associated research and development programmes. Clearly, this amount is inadequate to fund the biotechnology research and development needs of South Africa, especially in comparison with developed countries and emerging economies.

At the 1992 Rio Summit the developing countries of the southern hemisphere requested that the developed countries in the North should provide new and additional funding for a wide range of developmental activities including biotechnology. However, over the past decade it is clear that this request was not successful. In fact the level of financial assistance by the North has been declining. This trend needs to be reversed if the aims of the WSSD are to be achieved.

3. Sustainable development in South Africa

Within the context of sustainable development South Africa needs to focus on:

• the provision of sufficient affordable nutrition.
• improving access to affordable and effective health care
• the protection of the South African environment
• the creation of jobs and the reduction of poverty.

To achieve the above objectives, particular emphasis needs to be placed on national and global strategies to ensure:

• appropriate caution and judgement in the development and application of biotechnology.
• the implementation of suitable risk assessment and risk management systems to minimise the potential risks to human and animals health and the environment resulting from the commercial use of biotechnology and the resulting products. In South Africa this is achieved through the GMO Act, 1997.
• the establishment of appropriate and enforceable regulatory systems to national and global levels to ensure safe international trade and application of biotechnology products. This includes the ratification and implementation of the Biosafety Protocol
• The promotion and provision of access to biotechnology capacity building, facilitating technology transfer to, and ensuring access to the international marketplace by developing countries.
• An increased level of public awareness and acceptance of the processes and the products of biotechnology.

4. Recommendations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development

As biotechnology stakeholders in South Africa we believe that the following outcomes of the WSSD would make a positive contribution to sustainable development in South Africa and the region as a whole.

4.1. Capacity Building

To ensure the sustainable development of biotechnology, the WSSD should produce a concrete plan of action for the development of the necessary human resources and infrastructure. A comprehensive needs assessment should be carried out to identify the gaps that need to be filled, particularly in Africa.

4.2. Sustainable Business and Biotechnology

The final outcome of the WSSD must highlight and put into place the modalities for sustainable business development and biotechnology. Issues pertaining to intellectual property rights must be addressed in a manner that does not hinder the development of business. Means should be developed to allow governments in developing countries to take ownership of systems.

4.3. Recognition of biotechnology as a tool for sustainable development

Biotechnology is an important tool that has the potential to play a meaningful role in poverty alleviation in developing countries. The final document should highlight how biotechnology can be incorporated into poverty alleviation strategies in developing countries. It is important to recognise the positive contribution that biotechnology can play in the alleviation of poverty in the developing world.

4.4. Recognition of biotechnology as a tool for unpacking biodiversity

The link between biodiversity and biotechnology needs to be further highlighted. Biotechnology should be seen as a tool for unpacking and enhancing biodiversity rather than a threat to biodiversity.

4.5. Technology Transfer

Much of the technical and financial expertise in modern biotechnology is concentrated in the north. It is important to establish clear mechanisms for adequate north-south cooperation. As a major outcome of the WSSD, the modalities for this technology transfer must be drafted and formalized. The draft documents should ensure the empowerment of developing countries within such agreements.

5. Conclusion