Windhoek — A GENE Modified Organism Testing, Training and Research Laboratory was officially launched at the University of Namibia on Monday.

Unam's Dr Kandawa Schulz said the idea of setting up a biochemistry and biotechnology laboratory for research was initiated - way back in 1998 already - as there was no institution dealing with the application of modern biotechnology techniques.

She said the Laboratory had an important role to play in assisting Government and interested institutions in reinforcing and implementing the National Biosafety Framework by testing and monitoring the movement of grain, seeds and other items that might be genetically modified.

"The testing of genetically modified organisms will start off slowly because it is not anticipated that there will be too many requests coming in during the first years," she said.

The laboratory would carry out capacity building through training and research.

The Convention of Biological Diversity (UNEP-GEF) funded the laboratory equipment.

- Nampa