TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT CLONED FARM PRODUCE IN AFRICA
Just days after being that milk and meat from cloned livestock were safe for human consumption, Europeans were that cloning causes suffering to the animals. Groups representing consumer interests argue that the science backing the F.D.A.’s decision is shaky and that consumer surveys show that most people are opposed to cloning animals, let alone eating them. Setting aside the associated with cloned animals, it remains clear that the long term outcomes of consuming cloned animal remain unknown and will probably remain so for a long time to come. As these various interest groups jostle to have the final word on cloning, on behalf of the rest of us, I would like to ask what, if anything, this may mean for consumers in Africa.
Cloned Suya
At the moment it is rather unlikely that cloned farm animals and milk will replace the regular beef and milk. For now this technology appears to be only logical for those seeking to produce designer animals. However, with most technologies there is still the possibility that cloned beef and milk will make it into mainstream consumption. If this ever happens, and if the technology becomes easy to replicate thereby driving, "average cost" of these farm produce below the price of the regular beef and cow. This products will eventually flow to Africa. I worry that these products may gain widespread acceptance in Africa even if this never happen in Western countries. The lax importation guideline, the hardly enforced labelling laws will ensure that this will happen. Eventually if low prices coincide with even a partial pass mark for the beef and milk, the map of consumption of cloned farm animals will lay flush with that of developing economies. Bio-engineered crops vs. Death by starvation
In 2002 when the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe the importation of genetically modified grains, even as these countries faced an imminent famine, there was an outcry from the West. The US claimed the bans were politically motivated, while the African governments claimed they were being arm-twisted and black mailed into accepting food that had the potential of being harmful to citizens. I am no scientist so I can not make definite statements about this claims. Speaking with a geneticist this evening equally left me with more unanswered questions than prior to the discussion. However, it is obvious that when it comes to bio engineered crops, African Governments have little or know leverage when making the decisions of whether to accept these crops or not. There isn't much of a choice to be made between GM or Cloned crops VS. death by starvation.
Competing With Knock-Off
In the late 90's giant chicken and turkey mostly imported from Belgium surfaced in Nigeria. Prior to this time all poultry was mostly locally produced. A few government officials expressed their dissatisfaction with this trend, but other than just sprinkles of news related events there wasn't much done by the authorities to discourage the trend. Nigerians had their fill as these imported poultry was rather cheap. The government could not check the trend, because there was always the alternative of importing goods through the sea port in Cotonou. When it comes to knock off goods, and food, Nigeria is both porous and very receptive, and the government does not have the capabilities to enforce any proclamation against any 'fishy' food item. In Nigeria you just can not compete with knock-offs.
Conclusion
Whether Africans will consume cloned farm produce or not, is a decision that will be made for them. Africans would not have much say on this issue. This is the beauty or maybe ugly side of a market system that relies heavily on producers, because the choice to consumed has been stymied by poverty.
