Genetically Modified Organisms and its many controversies

 

As Nigeria continues to bask in the euphoria of Genetically modified Organisms (GMOS), the federal government has re-stated that Genetically Modified food that have not been tested and proven will not be released into the market.

This is as fresh controversies has broken out among proponents and opponents of Genetically Modified Organisms.

The Ministry of Environment, Open Forum on Agriculture Biotechnology (OFAB), National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) and Home of Mother Earth Foundation (HoMF), have expressed divergent views over GMO with some kicking against its acceptability.

The Minister of State for Environment Ibrahim Jibril delivering his keynote address at the ‘Just Governance: The Nigerian Biosafety Act and GMOs Implications for Nigeria and Africa’ in Abuja, maintained that Nigeria would not mortgage the safety of its citizens by introducing unproven products into the country. He noted that in as much as government would continue to support farmers shift from chemicals that would degrade the environment, government would not relent in its effort in addressing issues confronting GMOs.

He said:“This government will ensure that Nigeria is in a healthy and protective manner, government will not be redirected into using any unproven system or acceptable norms because government is concerned about the issue of GMO, the biosafety management agency.”

Director General NBMA, Rufus Ebegba, on his part assured Nigerians on the credibility of GMOs adding that the agency was equipped to carry out risk assessment on any genetically modified organism before it was released for any purpose.

He said "Nigeria will use science not illusion to regulate the adoption of genetically modified organisms".

The church however has its own view about Genetically modified organisms in Nigeria. John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Cathilic Bishop Archdiocese of Abuja said "the church is always for science but science must always be guided because it is not every scientific innovation that is good for the community. They have good and bad aspects".

Be that as it may the opponents of Genetically modified Organisms may have there say but the proponents, have their way as the law legalising GMOS is in place and the agency to regulate this technology is in place in Nigeria.