FG deepens collaboration on safety of genetically modified organisms

The health authorities in Nigeria say they are collaborating with agencies to address growing public concerns over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) food safety.

According to the coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the collaboration focuses on safety issues and improving public confidence in GMOs.

Genetically modified organism is a technology that involves inserting DNA into the genome of an organism.

To produce a genetically modified plant, new DNA is transferred into plant cells. Usually, the cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into plants. The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA.

The collaboration meeting on Monday in Abuja brought together, Tunji Alausa, minister of State for Health, and Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, director-general, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), and Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Alausa examined the importance of consistent communication among government agencies to allay fears about GMO foods.

Read also: Groups call for urgent ban of genetically modified crops in Nigeria

He highlighted the necessity of a collaborative approach, supported by extensive scientific evidence, to ensure the safety of GM foods.

The minister said that the collaborative effort between NBMA and NAFDAC was expected to enhance the regulatory framework for GM foods in the country.

This, he said, would ensure that public health concerns were addressed with the highest standards of scientific integrity.

Asagbra commended the minister’s initiative and underscored the historical collaboration between NBMA and NAFDAC, referencing a memorandum of understanding established in 2017.

She noted that no GM food permits were issued without NAFDAC’s involvement and called for enhanced cooperation to ensure food safety.

On her part, Adeyeye said no GM foods would be approved without thorough scientific safety assessments.

Key resolutions from the meeting include the establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG) between NBMA and NAFDAC.

The group will develop terms of reference for the TWG and set up a secretariat, to refer applicants to NBMA before processing by NAFDAC, and to continue collaboration on risk assessment and GM food labelling.