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Summary
Amid growing concerns about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) gaining hold in Nigeria, Dr. Ify Aniebo warned against the adoption in the country, sating that it could lead to serious health, environmental, and sovereignty implications.
Associate Professor of Genomics and Molecular Biology and health expert Dr. Ify Aniebo Rhodes-Vivour has shared insights around genetically modified organisms (GMOs), amidst growing debates in Nigeria.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants, animals or microorganisms whose genetic makeup is artificially modified or altered. They can enhance resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental stressors. However, Dr. Ify’s statement comes amid reports that a U.S.-funded public relations network is reportedly working behind the scenes to sway Nigerian public opinion in favour of GMOs.
Dr Ify broke down key terms and offered a cautionary perspective on the potential implications of GMO adoption in Nigeria, and explained the distinctions between cross-pollination, cross-breeding, hybrids, and GMOs.
“Cross-pollination occurs naturally between sexually compatible plants. Cross-breeding, on the other hand, is a human-facilitated process of deliberately mating or crossing plants from two different varieties or species to create offspring (hybrids) with desired traits from both parents,” she said.
She clarified that while cross-breeding and hybridisation occur through natural or assisted means, GMO technology involves carefully changing a plant’s genes in a lab, often by adding genes from another species, something that can’t happen naturally.
Dr. Ify Aniebo emphasised that the core issue with GMOs is not the science itself, but the broader implications, including health, environmental, economic, and sovereignty concerns.
“GMOs will create dependency, which will make it impossible for Nigeria to attain sovereignty. He who feeds you, controls you,” she highlighted.
In Africa, countries like Algeria and Madagascar have banned GMOs. Bans are also in place across Europe in nations including France, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Similarly, countries such as Turkey, Bhutan, and Saudi Arabia in Asia and Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela in the Americas have also restricted GMO use.
