Experts Differ Over Safety Of GMO Foods

…Their resistance to pests, collateral damage to health – Prof Amalu

…They improve yield, provide needed nutrients – Dr Gidado

…GMO foods are safe, FG insists

Amid growing concern and controversy, food safety experts are now divided on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods.

While some are issuing warnings concerning the safety of GMO foods, others have declared them safe for consumption. The groups against GMO foods are urging the federal government to adopt a total ban on its commercial use.

The disagreement comes amid multiple concerns, including what some describe as risks to public health, environmental hazards, threats to food security, and the impact of multinational seed corporations on Nigeria’s seed sovereignty.

GMO crops currently approved in Nigeria include Bt cowpea – a pest-resistant variety; TELA maize – a drought-tolerant and insect-resistant variety, and Bt cotton – a pest-resistant crop important to Nigeria’s textile industry.

However, months after their release into the market, the conversation surrounding GMOs continues to stir debate among the community of researchers, with some experts calling on the federal government to invest in organic, heirloom, and locally adapted crop varieties as alternatives.
However, proponents of GMO crops argue that their adoption would improve yields, increase farmers’ profitability, and address food insecurity.

Critics have joined the call for a critical evaluation of GMOs’ benefits and potential risks as part of Nigeria’s broader policy on food security. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), GMOs currently available on the international market have passed safety assessments and are not likely to risk human health or the environment.

 (LEADERSHIP)