Our position on GMOs will be anchored on scientific proof – FG


 
The Federal Government says it will rely on the outcome of  scientific investigations to take a final position on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
 
Speaking yesterday in Abuja, the minister of environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed explained that government would not be swayed by the divergent views on GMOs, but would instead aggregate the views and subject them to scientific studies.
 
Meanwhile, the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Nigeria, also yesterday organised a one-day sensitisation workshop on Genetically Modified Organisms and Agricultural Biotechnology for the staff of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja.
She however promised to bring both the proponents and antagonists on a round table to gauge the weight of their evidence before taken a final position based on scientific proof.
 
Flagging off  the workshop, the new Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Belema Wakama underscored the  need for the ministry personnel to be fully abreast of the issues concerning GMOs to enable them educate others.
 
She noted that biotechnology would was very strategic in driving the economic diversification process of the present administration particularly as it concerned job and wealth creation as well as food security.
 
In her address, the Director General of NABDA, Prof. Lucy Ogbadu who, said that the sensitization programme, became imperative because of the growing misinformation and celebration ignorance about biotechnology among Nigerians, particularly the uninformed scientists.
 
She also said that the enlightenment programme would also be taken to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and National Resources, explained that the application of biotechnology will engender improved yield and good quality of crops and animals.
 
Ogbadu maintained that the traditional agricultural methods would not guarantee food security for Nigeria, and indeed Africa, because of the growing population, shrinking workforce for farming and high infertility of farmlands.  

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