Biosafety: Experts review guidelines for genetically modified stacks

Experts and stakeholders have taken a second look at the national guidelines for genetically modified stacks for a safer deployment in the Nigerian environment.

The experts were assembled by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) for relevant inputs that would give the country a reliable guideline for direction.

According to the statement made available to the Tribune Online, by the agency, the intent of the review of the guideline, was to provide the country with a “robust guiding instrument,” the statement signed by Gloria Ogbaki stated.

Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency, Dr Rufus Ebegba said the importance of the activity, was to tap into the expertise of the safety industry experts on Biosafety, for cutting edge technology, in the country, for a safer environment, where and when biomaterials are deployed.

His words: “stacked gene events imply to a situation where an organism has more than a gene for its intended benefits.

“Government’s position is not to stop the activities of modern biotechnology but rather to deploy safe cutting edge technology capable to revamp the agricultural sector by way of providing farmers with improved plants and seeds that portend a better economy and National food security”.

“However, our sole responsibility as an agency is to ensure that whatever product that results from the practice of modern Biotechnology is safe to human health, animals, plants and the environment.’’

“Let me categorically state that NBMA would never compromise standards at the expense of the country. It is the job of the government to protect its citizens and whatever product that is not safe will not be approved in the country.’’

“Our concerns on stacked gene events are based on invasiveness, substantial equivalence, nutritional values and social-economic benefits. These are issues we consider at the review which prompts further decision by the NBMA’’.

He stated that the staff of the agency had put in so much effort to come up with guidelines and also charged the experts to commit their expertise as they review the document for National use.

Ebegba also debunked reports that he described those who criticized the commercialisation of Tela maize as terrorists.

According to him: ‘’That statement did not emanate from me and I want to use this medium to urge media practitioners to always report facts and they should also seek clarification when necessary before publication in order to avoid reporting falsehood’.

Head Planning Research and Statistics, National Biosafety Management Agency, Mrs Bello Scholastica who presented the essence of the review noted that a robust guideline would checkmate stacked gene events in the country.

She pointed out that the final document would avail the nation a refined document that would address all areas of concerns related to the stacked gene events.

Senior Programme Officer AUDA NEPAD Sam Timpo commended the NBMA describing it as the leading light on Biosafety issues in Africa noting that the Nigerian Biosafety system has become a model for other African countries as they are willing to come to Nigeria and understudy the Nigerian Biosafety system. He also noted that AUDA NEPAD will continue to support the Nigerian Biosafety in ensuring the proper regulation of modern biotechnology and its products.

Local and international experts from the public and private sector attended and joined and virtually to contribute to the documents.

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