The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Scientists have been advised to use biotechnological approaches to revolutionaries agriculture, health, industry, living standards and protect the environment.

Opening the bio safety level two facility at the college of natural and applied science at the University of Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, the director general of Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (Costech) Dr Hassan Mshinda said the introduced methods would improve both quantitative and qualitative traits of crops.

This would be facilitated through transfer of new genes into indigenous crops and improve nutrition.

"The genetic techniques can be used for development of vaccine and drugs against major viruses and parasites infecting and infesting human and livestock," said Dr Mshinda.

This is the second laboratory to be established in the country by Danida through its ENRECA project.

He said the dominant problem facing the country now was lack of human capacity to ensure adequate biotechnology and biosafety policy implementation.

"We need to build an essential mass of scientists and related professionals who can take our country to a higher level of economic development," said Dr Mshinda.

He said that it was important to develop human resources and institutional capacities which involves transfer of know-how, appropriate facilities and trainings.

Bio-safety regulations have to closely be linked with biotechnology capacity building and it is often urged that the techniques are applied judiciously.

The senior lecturer from the department of molecular biology and biotechnology, Dr Mugassa Rubindamayugi said the biosafety facility studies were done to establish the potential risks that the genetically modified organisms could pose to other living things, environment and human beings.

"This level is suitable for handling organisms of moderate potential hazards to human beings and the environment," Said Dr Rubindamayugi.

The Danish ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Bjarne Sørensen hoped the modern biotechnology and the science of genetically modified plants would prove to be useful tools as they offer several agricultural opportunities in the country.

"We expect the facility to give students, academic staff and relevant persons knowledge on generally modified plants through specialist training as well as generating local knowledge on the subject," Said Mr Sørensen.

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