By Onche Odeh
Scientists in Nigeria have been reprimanded to steer clear of unethical tendencies, especially on the application of biotechnology for the development of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country.
Similar warning has also gone to social media users who cross the lines with their postings on GMOs.
This was revealed by Dr Rufus Ebegba, the inaugural Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), the sole agency mandated for the regulation of GMOs in Nigeria on Monday.
Dr. Ebegba who made this while making his presentation at the ongoing International Conference on Biotechnology (ICOB) said the country has a robust legislation that guides the role of NBMA as a biosafety regulator.
In his presentation which gives overview on policy, biosafety and regulatory issues, including Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property, Dr Ebegba said, whereas the scientists are directly guided by the Act governing the establishment of NBMA, social media users are guided by the cyber law, which prohibits cyberbullying.
Speaking directly to the scientists, especially those who have expressed opposing views on GMOs, Dr. Ebegba said, “Nigerian scientists must rise up to their titles as scientists. Science is not about democracy. It is about evidence. Those who argue on science must do so from the point of scientific evidence.”
He, said, “It must be made clear that NBMA has been set up by the government to regulate GMOs to guard against any obnoxious application of the technology.”
I think I am the cause of all the controversies surrounding GMOs in Nigeria. But I am happy about it because NBMA has demonstrated capacity in the regulation of biotechnology.
– Dr Rufus Ebegba, former DG, NBMA
On a cautious note to the scientists, he said, “Let me sound a note of warning to scientist. Any scientist who is found to have contravened any provisions of the NBMA Act as amended in 2015 with regards to GMOs and similar technologies risk going to jail.”
On cyber bullying of scientists on account of promoting GMOs, he said, “I urge any scientist who is being harassed on the internet to report such a person,” saying there are laws under which such people could be penalized.
Speaking further, he warned scientists to resist the temptation of being used to create unfounded doubts about GMOs in Nigeria.
“Issues of GMOs should not be based on emotions. I have spent 28 years waiting to see any of those opposing GMOs point to anyone close to them that have died or taken ill from consuming GMOs,” Dr Ebegba said, dispelling GMOs health dangers claims by groups and individuals openly campaigning against GMOs.
Giving further assurances about GMOs, he said, “GMOs all over the world are 28 years old since the first commercialization. All the fallacies being peddled about it are trade based. Nigeria should not allowed itself to be used. NBMA is equal to the task, with regards to regulation. The agency’s is endowed with some of the best biosafety laboratories in Africa that can detect and analayse anything about GMOs.
On allegation that GMOs are being primed to replace available varieties, Dr Ebegba said, “GMOs have not come to replace the conventional crops. They are products of intervention that have come to solve the problems that conventional crops have faced over time. They are well labelled, hence farmers are at liberty to choose which one to use.”
According to him, “Nigerian farmers and consumers must be allowed to use what they find suitable. They should not be coerced or influence to making choices that may lead them to destruction
Nigeria has 11 Agricultural research institutes, universities and other institutions doing researches on Biotechnology.
