Biotechnology: DG says we will intensify sensitization

The new Director General (DG) of National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Abdullah Mustapha has described unacceptability of people to new scientific innovations emanating from genetically modified crops as just mere exhibition of phobia which can only be eradicated by continuous enlightenment and education towards a better living.  Prof. Mustapha said this at Ibadan recently after the close of national varieties release meeting.

Mustapha emphasised on the need for people to embrace the integration of genetically modified engineering organisms into improving of human living through improved  variety technologies for food security saying biotechnology is a science very necessary for better life.

According to him ‘’ the issue of biotechnology is all encompassing. It is all about life. Bio means life, and technology means science. Definitely people will have phobia with any new thing, but we hope as time goes on people will understand better and get used to it and accept it. That is about science and that is why is good to enlighten people whenever we have the opportunity to tell them about science. Whatever you produce scientifically, people must be enlightened about it as science a times is not hundred percent correct. For example is not very body that can take a particular drug at a time. The description can say 70-80% of particular people are to take the drug while 30% other people with this or that should not take. This how a new innovative looks like when you have it’’

He however enjoined the print media to join in the enlightenment race for more better education of the people towards better achievement of more improved  technologies for food security, stressed that ‘’ i will like to draw the attention of print media to be supportive so that we can carry people along to win this battle together, so that people can appreciate the science technologies that are being released day by day. That is my call to print media’’