Govt resolves to push ahead with GMO foods in Nigeria 

The scepticism of many Nigerians and outright rejection by others over the future of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) based food commodities in the market is doing little to dissuade the government as it appears resolved to forge ahead with promotion of genetic engineering to address concerns over food security and productivity.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Genetically Modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, for example, through the introduction of a gene from a different organism.

Currently available GM foods stem mostly from plants, but in the future foods derived from GM microorganisms or GM animals are likely to be introduced in the market. Most existing genetically modified crops have been developed to improve yield through the introduction of resistance to plant diseases or of increased tolerance of herbicides.

The contentious issue was brought to the fore recently when in May; the National Biosafety Management Agency issued two permits for the commercial release and placing on market of genetically modified cotton, and the confined field trial of maize, to Monsanto Agriculture Nigeria Limited.

“That particular license is not the first in the country. We have actually granted permits for confined field trials of experimental seeds as far back 1999 to at least three Nigerian institutions. This recent one that we granted to Monsanto, is for experimental trial in corn, then that of  cotton is for commercial release. And when we say it is for commercial release, it does not mean it will go straight into the market. It has to go through some processes to be reviewed for quality and it may take up to two or more years,” said Rufus Ebegba, director-general, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in response to BusinessDay enquiries.

“I think Nigeria should be a leading Biotechnology nation, but I am not talking about GMO because it has controversial issues I don’t want to face right now. I am talking about biotechnology, which is very important and critical going forward; that is an area of global competitiveness that we should have,” said Patrick Utomi, a professor of political economy who has also recently delved into agric business on a large scale

“The GMO thing as far as I’m concerned is neither here nor there. There are different perspectives and when we get to that bridge, we will cross it,” said Utomi.
Ebegba of the Biosafety agency however explained that “the issue of fears surrounding genetically modified organisms is expected. When there is a new technology like this, people are bound to express fear particularly when fears are being created in the minds of people by some individuals or groups. The government will not just permit commodities that are not safe into the environment.”

“Biotechnology is a good innovation; in fact, there is hardly any country that does not go in search of how to improve its production. When you begin to talk of GMO, that now becomes a different kettle of fish altogether,” said Vincent Isegbe, coordinating director, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service.

Isegbe also explained that “We ourselves need to develop competence of that technology to be able to even safeguard ourselves from other people brining in the GMO that we don’t want. That is one good thing that we should not throw away. We should develop the capacity to detect and checkmate other people sending us the type of GMO that they won’t want to eat but decide to ship to us.”

As noted by Ebegba of the Bio safety Agency, there is a law in place which incriminates unauthorised cultivation or distribution of GMO based food in Nigeria. All GMO based foods that are to be released in Nigeria are expected to be labelled so that consumers are fully aware when making purchase decisions and making their choices accordingly. Those who release products without approval or even concealed information are liable upon conviction to a jail term of five years, N2.5 million fine or both.