The subject of GMO has become a topic of debate in Nigeria. The government recently signed into law a bill to allow GMO foods in Nigeria stating that it was the only solution to allow the country fight the rising crisis of food insecurity.
In recent times there has been a surge in cases of terminal illnesses including Chronic kidney diseases, liver problems and various forms of cancers affecting Nigerians in numbers, what they didn’t tell us were the dangers that GMO foods along with which has been linked to the afore mentioned problems.
GMO means genetically mutilated organism whos genetics has been altered or modified via scientific or technological means to achieve a particular outcome either size, taste or other outcomes. This is a practice that has long been in existence however not to the extent it has come to especially in African and Nigerian climes.
In agriculture, the process of mutilated seeds, farm animals and other agricultural produce has seen a significant rise with over 30 genetically modified foods in the Nigerian food markets including BT cotton, cowpea and maize according to Health of mother earth foundation(HOMEF) despite claims by the National Biosfaety management that foods and fruits in markets are not genetically modified.
Research and findings gathered have revealed that many cereals products consumed in Nigeria are often produced with GMO foods in order to meet popular demand.
The Nigerian government following its recent approval of GMO foods have continued to push the narrative that these foods are harmless also stating the economic and agricultural benefits however, very little information has been provided about the dangers and dow3nsides to these foods.
Additionally, there has been theories that American billionaire Bill Gates is part of those pushing this narrative and scheme in Nigeria. This is coming after his last visit to Nigeria where he had several closed door meetings with political leaders allegedly tied to this practice.
Many Nigerians have strongly opposed this scheme by the Nigerian government and its key partner, Bill Gates with serious concerns about its safety and health risks for Nigerians.
According to a July 26 report by West Africa Weekly and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, Nigeria lost half of its harvest to system failure while GMO push continues to ignore the real crisis and forces a false solutions.
This was disclosed by Ibrahim Ishaka, a food and nutrition expert. According to him, “farmers are producing large quantities of food, but the country is failing to preserve, process and distribute it efficiently” in a bid to push the genetically modified food instead.
While the government and those involved have projected a perspective that undermines the crisis often used to justify the rapid and fierce roll out of GMO products, the FAO data reveals contrary perspectives. Many questions now surround whether the focus on GMO is a case of treating the wrong problem or just aimed at turning Nigeria into a testing ground for biotech products.
Dangers of GMO you were not told;
While key players seek to convince Nigerians that GMO is the way to go, one of the long term dangers is that it poses serious risks like cancer including prostrate and breast cancer.
Antibiotic resistance: meaning that consistent and prolonged consumption of the GMO fruits or crops can affect ones system in such a way that medications will no longer be effective as a result of the chemical resistance the produce would have caused inside the body.
Additionally, the rapid introduction of genetically modified foods and fruits will potentially displace additional farming methods and knowledge, impacting local communities and their livelihoods.
Infertility issues or reduced fertility or high risk of birth defects have also been raised as a concern and risk of genetically modified foods.
Another concern about these foods is that they produce new life but they don’t last. You can use it to produce super big life but after some time, they become mores susceptible and begins to shrink
MSG (monosodium glutamate on the other hand is a food flavouring or sweeteners that enhances the flavour of foods. It is a popular and key ingredient in most se4asoning powders and stock cubes.
It has been established that MSG has some laudable psychological effects as well as positive effects with regards to hypotension and iron deficiency however there are also abundant reports of harmful effects such as oxidative stress, DNA damage, protein modification all linked to exte4nsive use of products containing MSG.
Additionally, extensive use of MSG products may pose risk to several disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, anxiety, Parkinson’s, Tourette syndrome among others.
The debate surrounding GMO in Nigeria is likely to continue, with ongoing conversations about the balance between the potential benefits of GM crops and the need to address public concerns and ensure food and agricultural sustainability.
Given that the FG despite safety claims and assurance are less concerned about the health and we4lbeing of Nigerians and more focused on what may benefit the economy more irrespective of the many dangers, it is crucial for one to be very careful and intentional about what they consume.
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