National Biotechnology Development Agency says Genetically modified crops not National Security Threat, Good for Nigerians
The National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA has dismissed as false , misleading and unfounded allegation that genetically modified seed constitutes National security threats to the nation.
This was contained in a letter responding to a complaint written to the President of the senate by Global Profile Alliance titled, “National Security Threat: Biotech Terrorism using GMO Seeds” and signed by Dr Philip Njemanze.
The professionally worded response letter to the Senate President was jointly signed by The NABDA’s DG/CEO, Prof Abdullahi Mustapha and Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu who is the President of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria.
Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NABDA, Dr. Rose M. Gidado in a press statement on Thursday, said the agency Boss and Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu urged the senate not to heed what it termed “scientifically unfounded advice by the complainant”.
In the response letter, the agency pointed out that “Genetically modified (GM) crops are not a national security threat or form of biotech terrorism. They have been rigorously tested and regulated before commercial release to ensure safety for human health and the environment. GM crops have been consumed in Europe, America, South Africa, China and other parts of Asia for more than 25 years, without adverse effects.”
On the ban on genetically modified crops by Kenya which was cited as an example by the complainant, the Agency says ,”Kenya was misled into imposing a ban on GMOs in 2012, by uninformed extremist anti GMO activists.”
NABDA Boss Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu says Ten years later, in 2022, kenya was forced to lift the ban after four seasons of drought and crop failure that were the worst it suffered in 40 years.
They pointed out that there is international scientific consensus on GM crop safety, upheld by regulatory agencies and the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine globally, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agricultural AOrganization (FAO), amongst others.
They pointed out that Nigeria's genetically modified products have also “passed the usual rigorous biosafety assessments before approval for commercial planting”
On Transgenic Cowpea and TELA maize were developed by Nigerian scientists , they noted that the benefit to smallholder farmers are enormous. The transgenic cowpea , according to them , is resistant to destructive pod borers, which typically destroy 80% of cowpea crops. This resistance is helping farmers boost their yields several folds. TELA maize is drought tolerant and resistant to fall army woarm to enable farmers optimize yield and profits.
On the high yielding TELA Maize they disclosed that it presents significant advantages that directly contribute to the well-being of Nigerians.
The advantages are Increased Crop Yield, Enhanced Pest Resistance , Improved Nutritional Content, Economic Advantages
They urged the Senate to consider the “overwhelming international scientific consensus on the safety and benefits of transgenic crops and to continue supporting policies that promote agricultural innovation”.