1. Preliminary Report: Namibia 2013
Percy Chimwamurombe
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Namibia

2. Questionnaire-based Assessment on Awareness Level
A 22 –question survey to assess awareness level
SPSS analysis of data
100 respondents per region

3. Age 121 1=<20years 2=20-30years 3=30-40 years 4=>40 years 14 1319

4. Gender 95 72
1=male
2=female

5. Have you heard of GMOs? 95 72
1=yes
2=no

7. What is a gene?
127
1=I know
2=let me try
4=I do not know 20 20

8. Do you eat genes?
1=yes
2=no
3=a bit
4=I don’t know 73 62 27 5

9. Some concerns raised about GMOs
Modification causes the life cycles of some organisms to become complicated
↓ nutrient content; purity
Biota & envt – change in life cycles; alteration of soil profile; ozone depletion
Health concerns – alter growth rate & mental dvlpt in children; premature ageing; impotence; obesity; diseases (skin, var organs, cancers)
The technology is new thus any side effects that may arise are unknown

10. Secondary school Students Awareness
A 30 minutes power-point presentation to Secondary School biology pupils titled “Biotechnology in Namibia”
Coverage:
- traditional biotechnologies and their products
- definition of modern biotechnology

11. Students Reactions.!
Questions raised reflected their curiosity to learn more about biotechnology:
-What were the advantages and disadvantages of biotechnology applications?
- What was the status of biotechnology applications in Namibia?

12. Students Reactions!
- What kind of mechanism is used to transfer genes across species?
- Would consumption of plant products from GM plants in any way affect functions of organs in human body?
- Was it possible to use GE against
HIV through gene manipulation?