NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is in the process of adopting synthetic biology technologies research and its commercialization, a senior government official has disclosed.
A Principal Scientist at the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) Dr. Benson Kinyagia said on Wednesday that Kenya has seen the potential in investing in the area in helping harness its potential in the industrial development.
"We intend to develop a policy on synthetic biology to enable the country tackle disease, food and energy production, clean water and waste management challenges," Kinyagia said during a workshop on synthetic biology at a Nairobi hotel.
The field of synthetic biology aims to define a framework for accelerating the engineering of biological systems and cells for useful applications as well as furthering fundamental understanding of living systems.
It adopts an engineering approach for the systematic design and construction of new biological systems and cells at the genetic level and is inherently interdisciplinary bringing together biologists, engineers, computer scientists, social scientists, designers and artists.
Kenya will be the third country in Africa after South Africa and Egypt once the technology takes shape. Europe and Asia have already adopted the technology.
Kinyagia observed that synthetic biology technology is the route to realizing global development after the agricultural revolution, industrial revolution and technology.
"With the depletion of the natural ecosystem and biodiversity, there is need to develop synthetic biology research," he added.
The Director General of NACOSTI Dr. Moses Rugut said that Kenya and other east African countries are due to start exploring synthetic biology technology through academic scientists and student exchange in the United Kingdom.
"We intend to establish potential research collaboration focused on the identified application areas," he added.
He said that Kenya has identified 14 research programs where local researchers will engage with the British researchers.
Dr. Julia Kemp, head of research at the Department for International Development (DFID) hailed east African governments for realizing the importance of science and innovation.
She said that through the Newton-Utafiti Fund, the bilateral science relationship with the region will provide a platform to develop new knowledge partnerships in science, technology and innovation.
