Scientist accuses non-scientists of antagonism to GMOs products

A scientist and director of planning at Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Mr. Yarama Ndirpaya has accused non scientists of being the major antagonists of Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) in Nigeria and advised that agricultural research institutes must integrate biotechnology mechanism into enhancing agricultural modification towards food security.

He made the accusation at a meeting of National Crops Varieties and Breeders Registration and Release Committee at National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), held in Ibadan.

Ndirpaya who made the allegation during a session when issue of pros and antis of the technology as regards GMO products and its availability in the country was raised by the chairman of the committee Chief Oladosu Awoyemi, said that most of the people against GMOs in Nigeria were mostly non-scientists who were fighting for selfish interests rather scientific facts, adding that all agricultural research institutes have integrated biotechnology into their research and capacity building since the government of Nigeria has recognised the technology for adoption in scientific practices.

He stressed that no GMO products is allowed to enter Nigeria for now apart from those ones that were internally generated in the country like bt cotton, cowpea and rice  saying  ‘’ most of the people complaining about GMOs are not scientists, they are lawyers, accountants, social scientists and social environmentalists who are fighting for personal economic interest. As a country, we have National Bio safety Agency purely created to moderate the technology. And these technologies are highly monitored by them. So commercially speaking, we do not encourage the GMO products in Nigeria for now.’’ 

A staff of National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Mr. Ishaq Kahlid also commented that the country could not run away from biotechnology, adding that the country’s porous borders have created  a great challenge as some of these products are  smuggled into the country despite the proactive effort of the Bio safety agency.

Prof. S. G. Ado also alluded to the fact that the products are on the shelves of Nigerian stores, but pointed that the DG of Bio safety had promised to visit the stores for proper labelling of the products so as to enable consumers make proper choice.