The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has dismissed as false the information that gene transfers carried in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) such as crops are harmful.
Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NBRDA, who said this during an interview on Monday, February 17, 2025, in Abuja, noted that it was important to approach the topic of gene transfer from a scientific standpoint which is evidence-based rather than speculation.
She said the technology of genetic engineering started after the discovery of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structure, which, according to her, is the same in all living things, both plants and animals, except for virus.
DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism.
Gidado said gene editing involved taking gene from one living organism to another living organism.
“We believe the trait that you want, what you are looking for is there in another living organism.’’
“It’s just actually gene that you are taking, a gene that would go for that trait that you want and once they get into the host plant, they establish themselves.
“The host environment receives them and once they establish themselves that trait that you want begins to manifest in the new host,’’ she said.
Gidado further said that if the trait was brought for drought or flood tolerance, then the crop ends up being either of flood or drought tolerant.
According to her, the gene of either plant or animal is usually altered for specific beneficial reasons.
The expert said the gene of the genetically modified beans (Bt cowpea) contained a gene called 1Ab gene which gave protection to the crop against the devastating insect pest of beans called “Maruca”.
She said although there were other insects attacking beans, but that the Maruca was the most devastating, of which the 1Ab gene gave protection against pest attack.
“Just as the maruca is the devastating insect pest of beans, so also is the pink bollworm the devastating insect of cotton,’’ she said.
She said it was preferable for farmers to plant a GMO seed for improved yield, cautioning that conventional seeds needed pesticide spray up to 10 times.
She said that with genetically modified seed, the frequency of the spray would be reduced while the yield would improve than the normal seed.
“Before any GMO product is approved for consumption in Nigeria, it undergoes a detailed risk assessment process; evaluated by experts in public health, molecular biology, ecology and toxicology,’’ she said.
By Sylvester Thompson