Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops are healthier to eat, in many cases than non-GMO crops, says Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu, President of Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN).
Uzochukwu said this in an interview in Abuja on Monday, December 23, 2024.
GMO is a plant, animal, or microbe in which one or more changes have been made to their genetic makeup, using genetic engineering.
According to the professor of Food Science and Biotechnology, the technology protects crops from pest damage, which encourages the growth of moulds that produce mycotoxins in food that directly cause cancer.
“The technology is also deployed to remove or reduce toxins and allergens from food for better health.
“It is also used to protect biodiversity and the environment,’’ Uzochukwu said.
Quoting statistics from the World Food Programme (WFP) 2024, Uzochuckwu pointed out that the number of food-insecure Nigerians increased significantly from 66.2 million in the first quarter of 2023 to 100 million in the second quarter of 2024.
She noted that 18.6 million people faced acute hunger, while 43.7 million Nigerians showed crisis-level or above crisis-level hunger coping strategies as of March 2024.
“Genetically modified crops have the potential to increase agricultural productivity on existing arable land and address issues of loss related to pests, disease and drought.
“It can increase access to food through income gains, raise nutrition levels, and promote sustainable agriculture.
“The technology is one of the most important ones available that can reverse food insecurity in Nigeria, when correctly deployed,’’ Uzochukwu said.
According to her, GMO technology is an attempt to alter the characteristics of the organism, adding that the process may be used for a variety of purposes.
She listed some of the purposes to include making drugs like human insulin for managing diabetes, producing fermented beverages, developing pest and drought-resistant crops, amongst others.
Uzochukwu said GMO technology could also be used to improve nutrients in crops and increase yields.
By Sylvester Thompson
