*92 African CSOs tell FG to ban use, consumption of GMO products
*Insist rising cases of cancer, other related illness can be traced to GMO
*That campaign against GMO is particularly on genetic modification of food crops, animals, others
*Reveal that19 EU countries, 4 Asian countries, 2 African countries, others have banned GMO
By Aaron Ossai
Amidst controversy that had trailed the use of Genetically Modified Organisms, GMO in Nigeria, a coalition of 92 African Civil Society Organisations, CSOs have asked the Nigerian House of Representatives to direct the federal government to ban its use or consumption in Nigeria and other African continents.
The call was made by a Coalition of 92 African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at a Public Hearing on GMO organised by the Nigerian House of Representatives Joint Committees on Agricultural Production and Services, Privatisation, Commercialisation, Public Asset, Science Engineering and Special Duties during which it said the aim was to protect the environment and the health of citizens
The Coalition which was led by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) said that the rising cases of cancer and other related illnesses are traceable to the use and consumption of GMO.
In a document presented to the Committee by Ms Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes (HOMEF) the Coalition said GMOs are products of genetic engineering which is a technology that allows scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes at the cellular level in a way that is not possible through traditional or natural processes.
According to them, it allows DNA from one type of organism to be introduced into another related or unrelated species; genetic manipulation is also done within a single organism.
They said that the campaign against GMOs is particularly against genetic modification of food crops and animals and any other genetic modification that will alter ecosystem balance, negatively impact agriculture, destroy local economy and foods.
The CSOs said 19 European Union countries, four Asian countries, two African countries; five countries in the Americas have banned GMOs.
They said up to 64 countries require manufacturers to label foods with GMOs as an increasing number of people around the world are choosing to eat organic and non-GMO products.
“It is noteworthy that nearly all studies that claim GMOs are safe are funded by the very biotechnology corporations that produce and/or profit from GMOs sales.
“Several studies have linked the consumption of GMOs to a myriad of diseases including antibiotics resistance; the commercially approved Bt Cowpea expresses an enzyme which confers resistance to antibiotics – neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII).
“Multiple animal studies show significant immune dysregulation, including upregulation of cytokines (protein molecules involved in immune responses) associated with asthma, allergy, and inflammation.
“Studies have also shown that DNA molecule ingested in food can affect animals that eat them. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), of plants were found to be biologically active, affecting gene expression and the functioning of important processes in the body in the blood of humans and animals that had eaten them.
“Multiple toxins from GMOs have been detected in 93 per cent maternal and 80 per cent fetal blood including non-pregnant women’s blood.
“These toxins designed to kill crop pests are reaching humans and babies in the womb and could lead to allergies, miscarriage, and cancer”, they said.
The Coalition further explained that GMOs have direct implications on biodiversity saying that over 80 per cent of GMOs are designed to be herbicide tolerant.
However, the Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Hon Bello Kaoje said the issue of GMOs in agriculture is an ongoing global debate with two broad opinions.
He said the task of the Committee is to engage with key stakeholders who have been engaged in the debates on the appropriateness or otherwise of GMO.