Biotechnology and the Environment in Africa

Although biotechnology can contribute to food security, economic development, public health, and environmental sustainability, its unethical deployment can lead to biodiversity loss, the erosion of indigenous knowledge and traditional farming practices, gene flow to wild species, health risks, and other unintended consequences. I argue that the ethical use of biotechnology in Africa should incorporate indigenous African and non-African ethical principles. In this paper, I will explore the impacts of biotechnology on Africa, the related controversies, and the key ethical principles relevant to the use and regulation of biotechnology in Africa. The method of the article is mainly exploratory and evaluative.