Coalition To FG: Ban GMOs In Nigeria To Guarantee Safety Of Lives
By: Olarenwaju Babatunde
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs’) including farmers and the media have urged the Federal government to ban the planting and processing of every genetically modified organism (GMO) products in Nigeria in order to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of the masses.
This was cited in a petition submitted to Cross River state House of Assembly and the management of the Agricultural Development Project (ADP), signed by Mr. Umo Isua-Ikoh, a volunteer with GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance and a representative of the coalition, yesterday in Calabar.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants, animals, or microbes that have had their DNA changed using genetic engineering techniques.
THE BEAGLE NEWS reports that the submission of the petition preceded a rally to sensitize the public on the harmful effects of GMO products to human health along major roads including IBB way in the Calabar metropolis.
While calling on the government to enforce a total ban of GMOs in Nigeria, the coalition was however, of the view that a more agro-ecology comprising organic agriculture, regenerative agriculture among other best practices can be adopted to ensure food security in the country.
Even as she decried the associated risks of GMO products to human health, the coalition stated in part that “This petition is prepared and endorsed by the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance and the Say no to GMOs Group in a nation-wide campaign against GMOs led by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) on Friday 13th December 2024.
“Several studies have linked the consumption of GMOs to a myriad of diseases including antibiotics resistance - the commercially approved Bt Cowpea expresses an enzyme which confers resistance to antibiotics - neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII). Multiple animal studies show significant immune dysregulation, including upregulation of cytokines [protein molecules involved in immune responses] associated with asthma, allergy, and inflammation. – AAEM, 2009.
“Multiple toxins from GMOs have been detected in 93% maternal and 80% fetal blood including non-pregnant women’s blood. (Aris and Leblanc, 2011; Woźniak et al., 2018). These toxins designed to kill crop pests are reaching humans and babies in the womb and could lead to allergies, miscarriage, and cancer (Poulter, 2011)."
Earlier, while receiving the petition from the group, a representative of ADP’s programme Manager, Mr. Ifork Sunday, said the agency was not unaware of the development.
According to Ifork, who is the technical director in ADP, concerted efforts were being made in collaboration with the ministry of agriculture to address all the issues raised concerning GMO products in the letter.
Also speaking, a representative of the Chairman, state House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Mr. Augustine Ukukong, expressed deep concern over the matter.
Ukukong, an assistant director on legislative matters, assured that the content of the petition will be given the attention it deserves in the Assembly.
