Editorial: Why researchers should stop at scientific proof on GMOs

 

The negative criticism Genetically Modified Organism Seeds ( GMOs) is receiving in the recent times may have not been that much if our scientists had stopped at the scientific superiority of these varieties especially in Tela maize over other conventional  and hybrid seeds. But rather they tend to paint a picture as if there will be no food security without GMO varieties in the country.

Professionally we are aware that any registered and released variety by the National Varietal Release Committee ( NVRC) must have been throughly tested to possess characteristic potentials that should be able to drive itself on the basis of superiority characteristic with proven scientific evidence over the already existing varieties.

A situation where scientists are now speaking for a product that has been officially approved for release looks very unprofessional as they should have allowed the variety superiority in terms of characteristics over the other conventional and hybrid seeds to speak for themselves through off takers' free demand.

The confrontations and counter oppositions on the pages of newspapers and electronic media in view of GMO crops being released into the markets in Nigeria to our mind is making almost many people feel there are no other tested and approved varieties that can give commercial yield except those ones that are genetically modified to reflect the extent of perception the counter engagements have given the general public.

Although, we are aware of many novices out there that will not embrace the reality of new scientific technologies no matter how you explain in a country like ours where foods demand are daily increasing, but honestly we believe the process method must not be portrayed in a deliberate  derogatory way to undermine the existing conventional varieties that some of them had been proven to be able to give competitive high yield ton per hectare through best agronomics practices.

We are of the view that researchers should stay more on the part of stating the obvious scientific superiority of one variety over another in totality of yields, diseases/ pest resistance and environmental friendliness rather than being defensive of a technology that supposes to be freely chosen through proper sale tagged on market places for identification.

The strategy being deployed in educating the masses on the adoption of these released GMOs may not need the present styles, but rather an educational approach of labelling GMO products in order to allow free choice by individuals for purchase and cultivations.

Even some scientists emphasized on labeling as they do not totally agree on the superiority of the GMOs for the reason of more fertilizer applications and lack of necessary extension services that have not been exhausted to give maximum yield of most conventional and hybrid seeds. This, we can give free of charge as information.

The emphasis on labeling and designating areas for GMOs cultivations will put a rest to an endless argument and counter argument that may not address our food security challenges as we are actually supposed to harness technology potentials to advance our food system productivity.

Finally, there are many reasons as to why some of our conventional varieties are essential especially those that are publicly and privately bred for specific commercial purposes of nutrients and taste advantages which cannot be compromised for any other variety. 

This is part of the contenders against GMOs which could have been better protected with sale tags on the market places to allow free demand and choice instead of engagement in an argument naturally demand and supply would have resolved.