By Sylvester Thompson

The Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) has endorsed all commercially released Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and foods in Nigeria as natural and safe for humans, livestock and the environment.

The association disclosed this at the National Symposium on Biotechnology organised in honour of Prof. Vincent Tenebe, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the BSN on Monday in Abuja.

Tenebe noted that the controversy surrounding the safety of GMOs was a false narrative, propagated by anti-GMOs who don’t wish Nigeria or Africa to be food sufficient.

He said the issue was not about safety but business and that those against the technology were bent on keeping Africa perpetually reliant on food importation.

“God gave man the ability to change and modify to our own advantage and that is what we are doing with GMOs as biological scientists.

“Don’t be deceived by what anti-GMOs are telling you, GMO is natural, they are trying to bring confusing ideas whenever they see that Africa is about to have a breakthrough,’’ he said.

Tenebe, who is also the erstwhile Vice Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), maintained that Africa remains the greatest centre of biodiversity, and its resources was in high demand.

He said contrary to opinions of ant-GMOs, there was nothing wrong with GMO, hence Nigerians should not allow themselves to be used to cause confusion.

“As scientists, we are just trying to express what we have discovered from science and nobody can change it, and we must respect plants because through plants we have wisdom,’’ Tenebe added.

Dr Sylvester Oikeh, TELA Maize Project Manager, Africa Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), who was the keynote speaker, made a presentation on, “The safety history of TELLA Maize’’.

Oikeh concluded that genetically engineered crops such as TELA maize are safe because of rigorous biosafety regulatory approval process involved.

According to him, strategic combination of conventional breeding and transgenic technology has resulted in 53 TELA registered, climate-smart hybrids, with four released in Nigeria.

He noted that this had the potential to transform maize production amid climate change.

He stressed that there was urgent need to address negative impacts of NGOs opposing GMOs in Africa, especially in Nigeria because their actions are a huge threat to national food and nutrition security.

Earlier, Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu, President of the BSN, remarked that presently, one of the burning issues of biotechnology was GMOs, specifically genetically modified foods, vaccines, especially molecular vaccines that saved the world from COVID-19.

“To address burning food security concerns in the country, Nigerian scientists have worked for more than 20 years to deploy the science of genetic engineering in the solution of Nigeria’s pressing food problems.

“The result was the insect resistant beans launched in 2021, the insect and drought resistant maize launched this year, as well as insect resistant cotton commercialized in 2018.”

“The new genetically modified (GM) insect resistant beans will, all things being equal, rid the beans fields of maruka insect devastation and bring beans within reach of the common man again,’’ Uzochukwu said.

The BSN president stated that TELA maize has been developed to tackle new pests such as the fall army worms which have been laying waste to corn fields.

She expressed optimism that the GM maize would bring down, not just the cost of maize or corn and its products, but also the cost of meat as livestock feed was highly dependent on corn.

According to her, these products will also protect consumers from cancer which arises when insects damage grains and moulds grow on them and produce mycotoxins which cause cancer.

Dr Agnes Asagbra, Director General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), said the theme of the conference, “GMOs and Vaccines; Myths, Advances and Prospects,’’ was timey.

She said the theme addressed some of the most critical issues facing science, healthcare and agriculture in Nigeria and across the globe.

Asagbra, who was represented by Hauwa Ahmed, Acting Director, Biosafety Enforcement and Operations, said the role of biotechnology has become more significant as Nigeria continue to navigate a rapidly evolving world.

High point of the event was the presentation of awards of selfless service and excellence to deserving scientists.

BSN is a professional and scientific association that promotes biotechnological activities to positively impact nations’ aspirations for food security, improved healthcare delivery, a clean environment and sustainable economic growth. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh