Three days ago, the Zambian Government refused food aid (maize) on the basis that it is genetically modified. News sources are disagreeing upon the exact number of people to go hungry or are in need of food, but none will be consumed until it gets the go-ahead from Zambian scientists.
Surrounding nations in similar situations have accepted the GM maize only after it was milled to ensure that it could not be grown by local farmers, but Zambia seems to be on to something.
Is this a strange trial of GM safety upon the nations of the hungry? The Zambian Agriculture Minister is not fooled, and paranoid ponderings aside, he gets hats-off for upholding the right to maintain his nations biodiversity.
Written on Saturday, 2 November 2002