Legal Framework of Biosafety in Ethiopia: The Relevance of Cartagena Protocol
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study makes a comprehensive analysis of the current biosafety regulatory regime in
Ethiopia. A set of common characteristics and components in biosafety regulatory
systems with reference to related provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety were
used. The introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) especially 111
agriculture has produced a new range of governance challenges 111 the fields of
environmental safety and human health. The regulation of modem biotechnology in
Africa is still in its infancy. Despite this, legislation is urgently required to regulate
modern biotechnology. The study assessed how the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is
implemented by Ethiopia.
The study revealed that though the Cartagena Protocol has gone some way in regulating
modem biotechnology. On the national level, the study noted that the draft biosafety
regulatory regime of Ethiopia does comply with the provisions of the Cartagena Protocol,
but it considers the Cartagena protocol as minimum standard rather than maximum
standard. This is mainly because each country has taken a different approach in
implementing the protocol depending on its domestic priorities, biodiversity, imperatives
and position in the global agricultural market. Finally, the study made recommendations
on possible ways in which Ethiopia can coordinate and improve its national biosafety
regulatory systems. These will enable the draft biosafety regulatory system to become
more successful in protecting the environment and human health.
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Keywords
Legal Framework, Biosafety in Ethiopia