The impact of genetically modified foods on food production and trade in East Africa, will be high on the agenda of a meeting convened by an association of African biotechnologists in Nairobi this week. Reports in support of GMOs say that several GMO maize and cotton varieties available locally have the potential of increasing productivity, and lowering the cost of pesticides, thus reducing their impact on the environment. However, concerns have also been raised about GMO's potential risks to the environment and human health.