Government agencies are speaking to issues raised by some concerned Nigerians about the risk of adopting genetically modified organisms (GMOs) crops in the country.
In response to media reports, not Bushlink, citing that GMOs pose a threat to the health of consumers, the agencies described the report as unfounded. The agencies addressed a Joint News Conference in Abuja.
The issue was jointly addressed by the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), the National Biotechnology and Development Agency (NBDA), the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), and the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
Speaking at the conference, the Executive Secretary of ARCN Prof. Garba Sharubutu, said that studies had found no indication that GMO foods posed a health threat with consensus from scientific research, noting that gene-altered crops posed no more risks than those developed through conventional breeding techniques.
Sharubutu said, “More than 275 independent science organisations worldwide have concluded that food grown from genetically engineered seeds poses no unique health concerns. He added that GMO crops were not banned and ARCN is focused on ensuring the prevention of drought and flood resistance, in line with the best agricultural and health practices.
Also, the Director General of NBDA said the GMO controversy is a result of misinformation. According to him, “GMO crops have the potential to revolutionise food security and environmental safety, ensuring a good supply of food for future generations”.
On his part, the Acting Director General of NASC Dr Khalid Ishiak affirmed that GMO technology had been certified by Nigerian scientists and the agency. Corroborating their submissions the Director General of NBMA, Dr Agnes Asagbra assured the federal government’s position in the safety of the citizens. Asagbra said the agency is regulating biotechnology to ensure the safe practice of modern biotechnology, including GMOs; and has ensured the safety of agri-biotechnology products.
GMO crops that are tolerant to herbicides help farmers control weeds without damaging the crops. When farmers use these herbicide-tolerant crops they do not need to till the soil, which they normally do to get rid of weeds. Some of the major GM crops grown around the world are Soybean, maize, and cotton.