A look at Modern Biotechnology

Modern Biotechnology has become the greatest issue of our time. According to Lovei et al (2010), the level of attention given by the general public towards Modern Biotechnology is possibly unparalleled since the appearance of atomic bomb. Similarly, here in Ethiopia, the issue is drawing the attentions of many enormously. Recently the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) organized public lectures regarding Modern Biotechnology which were mainly promoting Modern Biotechnology. Yet a couple of days ago a civil society coalition conducted a public lecture on the same subject but that was absolutely contrary to the EAS. The civil society coalition denounced the use of Modern Biotechnology in Africa and more specifically GM seeds. The controversy regarding Modern Biotechnology is therefore immense. So this paper is prepared to inform policy makers, environmentalists and also the general public about the facts regarding Modern Biotechnology such that the controversies on the subject are well understood by these actors. This article presents a balanced and accurate information regarding Modern Biotechnology. It describes what Modern Biotechnology is and how it works, lists down its benefits and possible threats and briefly evaluates the status of Modern Biotechnology in Ethiopia. And of course some concluding remarks are incorporated.