Science policy, particularly as it applies to biotechnology and biosafety, has no single 'correct' approach to follow. An objective approach to biotechnology policy however requires three essential components: scientific advice, the engagement of a range of stakeholders in policy dialogue, and effective governance at a systemic level, in an 'innovation systems' sense, forming closer interaction between organizations and personnel to ensure that knowledge flows are maintained at all times. The article discusses the governance of modern biotechnology in Uganda. It shows that some progress is being made on interactivity among scientific organizations-many of whom are on the threshold of a capacity to become involved in gene transfer with potential application to the national needs. Interactivity, however, does not appear to be strong amongst governance bodies. Similarly the development of national policy, while strong in inspirational terms, seems in practice to be rather ad hoc and piecemeal, with uncertainty about who makes decisions and how these are to be implemented, monitored and evaluated. So, from an 'innovation systems' standpoint the governance of modern biotechnology in Uganda still has some way to go.

Opinion in Africa over the use of genetically modified crops for food has been divided, honed by more than a decade of arguments in Europe and elsewhere. Fortunately, the perceived image of a passive Africa in this game is changing rapidly with clear positions on how to harness modern biotechnology. This article examines the status of biosafety regulation across Africa, pertinent challenges and the extent to which regulation fosters or constrains the development of agricultural biotechnology.

Considering an expanding research and development pipeline of and growing practical experiences with genetically modified (GM) crops, governments in Sub-Sahara Africa have in recent years authorized various GM crop events for general, unconfined environmental release, and in a few cases, subsequent commercial variety registration and cultivation. These decisions are consistent with more business-oriented agricultural development policies aimed at turning agriculture into a leading driver of economic growth and wealth creation. Such policy reforms are also motivated by continent-wide initiatives described in this review paper, which emphasize seed sector reform, agricultural productivity growth, intra-regional trade, and agri-business development. While such policy developments spur a more proactive approach to introducing agricultural biotechnology, it becomes apparent that authorizing GM crops for general environmental release and commercial seed registration requires the harmonization of government policies in various sectors relevant to seed systems, most notably those affecting plant breeding research, testing, and variety release. Critical areas for such policy reforms and harmonization were analyzed in this paper, with associated recommendations.

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