‘Our genetically modified pod borer resistant beans variety is safe’

Concerns are being raised about safety of Genetically Modified foods, yet you are working on the GM pod borer resistant beans project, what do you have to say?International organisations like the European Food Safety Agency, the United Nations, World Food Organisation, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have tested, scientifically, […]

Concerns are being raised about safety of Genetically Modified foods, yet you are working on the GM pod borer resistant beans project, what do you have to say?
International organisations like the European Food Safety Agency, the United Nations, World Food Organisation, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have tested, scientifically, and found no cause for alarm in consumption of GM materials as food for humans or as feed for animals.
All the international organisations you have mentioned are in support of consumption of GM foods. Why are others, including some experts, kicking against it?
There are a lot of interests because these are products that can spin money. And if the technology is adopted some businesses will have reductions in their revenues. For example, some of the insect protection technologies in GM crops will reduce the consumption of chemicals, which are being sprayed and are harmful to our environment. So these lobbyists will do everything possible to see that we do not adopt insect resistant materials so that we will continue to consume their harmful chemicals we spray on our crops. Another thing is that there is international politics in terms of trade. Certain countries are endowed with technologies and others might feel disadvantaged. So, they will try to mobilise others to see that they reduce the intake of those technologies to reduce the economic advantage of the countries that own those technologies. These are the reasons why I think that amongst us, some people are being sponsored to peddle rumours and exacerbate these fears which are scientifically unfounded.
Why is it taking us too long in Nigeria to develop this kind of technology even when we are in dire need of improved yield?
The Nigerian government has done fine because as far back as 2002, I think during Obasanjo’s administration; Nigeria adopted a biotechnology policy after realising its potentials. And that led to the establishment of a government agency that is aimed at promoting and facilitating the adoption of biotechnology in the country. Government wise, I think they are focused by recognising biotechnology as one of the options for national development. Rather, I will say there are some non-governmental outfits that are being paid somehow or supported to orchestrate the principle of fear into the minds of public so that they will, on the other hand, try to oppose government efforts to make sure that our people benefit from the immense potentials of this technology.
What is the cost of this beans project?
On the absolute value, it might look substantial. I cannot precisely estimate. It might come to something like $50 to $55million, which is around N750million or thereabout. But when you compare it with the potential profit that we are going to get in a single year, in two to three years, there will be a very big margin out of the research output. Right now, a 100kg bag of cowpea sells around N20, 000 to N22, 000. So, if you enhance your yield by even 20% as a result of this, it means 40 bags.
What impact can GM foods make on the food and nutrition security of this country?
GM foods apart from reducing production constraints in the farmers’ fields are also enhanced with nutrition that will give good health to our people. For example, vitamin A deficiency is a very serious health problem and other mineral deficiencies like zinc and iron too. GM foods that are endowed with these vitamins and minerals, increased proteins and so on, will help greatly in improving our health. It will reduce infant and maternal mortality, improve nurturing of babies and reduce physiological diseases that are widespread among us.