Experts and advocates have raised concerns over the laws governing the importation of Genetically Modified Organisms into the country, noting that it does not provide for liability and leaves the sector open to abuse.
They alleged that the uncensored flooding of Nigerian markets with products that are derivatives of GMO is a calculated attempt by unscrupulous regulators to endanger the health and lives of unsuspecting consumers.
Warning that GMOs distort the natural cycle of the human cell, a Molecular Biologist at the Niger Delta University, Professor Tatfeng, tasked the government to beware of the environmental, ecological and health concerns scientifically proven to emanate from GMO toxicity in the human system.
Professor Tatfeng who raised the concerns at a workshop organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, for a cross-section of judicial officers in Abuja, cautioned that attempts by some individuals to dabble into gene editing, synthetic biology or genetic engineering signals a threat to the country’s biodiversity and could lead to the extinction of species and naturally endowed varieties.
‘‘We are still struggling with the regulation of basic aspects of Biosafety but regulators want to dabble into genetic engineering, ‘gene drive’ organisms which has the potential of wiping off whole species of organisms.
‘‘We note that this is unnatural, poses a severe threat to nature, the health of the people, our biodiversity and ecological systems as well as jeopardises our environmental sustainability, Prof Tatfeng warned.
He also called attention to the gaps in the existing Biosafety legislation in the country, saying, ‘‘The Act has major fundamental flaws such as the absence of strict liability and redress in case damage arising from the release of GMOs into the environment, the composition of the Board- NABDA with no farmers or consumers, poor access to information for consumers, lack of mandatory and clear labelling of GM products, infringing on the peoples ‘Right to Know’, and apparent conflict of interests’’.
The University Don alleged that there appears to be an unholy alliance between the regulator and the regulated as the Biosafety Agency, NBMA often endorses activities of GMO promoters rather than actually regulating them.
Meanwhile, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, Director of the Ecological Think-Tank at HOMEF emphasized that it had become expedient to engage the judiciary for a better understanding of the cons of biotechnology with regards to cases that may arise from its wrong application in future.
He appealed to the members of the bar and bench, to keep abreast of the legal framework and legislations governing GMOs in Nigeria, especially as it borders on rights to food choices and food sovereignty.
‘‘It is important that all stakeholders have a deep understanding of the implications of this technology to ensure informed decisions both in the legislative, judicial and executive arm of government.
‘‘We need judges to better interpret and apply biosafety regulations that align with both legal principles and public safety’’, Nnimmo noted.
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