Experts renew concerns over GMOs, warn of health, environmental, economic risks

The debate over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has resurfaced following renewed concerns raised by experts over the potential health, environmental and socioeconomic implications of genetically modified foods, plants and seeds.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Professor Christberg Amua, a Professor of Bio-Organic Chemistry and Executive Director of the Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research, expressed strong reservations about the increasing adoption of genetically modified crops in Nigeria, warning that the country must exercise caution before embracing biotechnology without adequate safeguards.

According to Amua, genetically modified organisms are created by altering the genetic makeup of plants or animals through laboratory techniques, introducing genes from unrelated species to produce specific traits such as pest resistance, herbicide tolerance or improved yields.

While proponents argue that GMO technology can help address food shortages and improve agricultural productivity, Amua maintained that the long-term consequences on humans remain dangerous, particularly in developing countries with weak regulatory systems.

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He warned that the widespread cultivation of genetically modified seeds could expose local biodiversity to contamination through cross-pollination, making it difficult to preserve indigenous crop varieties that have been cultivated for generations.

The professor also expressed concerns about the concentration of seed ownership among multinational biotechnology companies, arguing that dependence on patented GMO seeds could undermine farmers’ traditional practice of saving and exchanging seeds for future planting seasons.

According to him, this could increase production costs for smallholder farmers and weaken Nigeria’s food sovereignty.

Amua further raised questions about the long-term health implications of consuming genetically modified foods, noting that although many regulatory agencies have declared approved GMO products safe for consumption, some scientists continue to advocate for more independent long-term studies to fully understand their potential effects on human health.

The bio-organic chemistry professor also advocated greater investment in conventional plant breeding, agroecology and sustainable farming practices, which he believes can improve food production without introducing genetically modified organisms into the food system.

The debate over GMO technology remains one of the most contested issues in global agriculture.

Supporters, including organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United States National Academy of Sciences and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), maintain that genetically modified foods currently approved for sale have undergone rigorous safety assessments and have not been shown to pose greater health risks than conventional foods.

These organisations argue that biotechnology can contribute to improved crop yields, reduced pesticide use in some farming systems, enhanced resistance to pests and diseases, and increased resilience to climate change.

Environmental organisations such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, alongside several independent researchers, have raised concerns over potential ecological impacts, including the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds, reduced biodiversity, gene flow to wild plant populations, and increased corporate control of global seed markets.

Some food safety advocates have also argued that more long-term independent research is needed to monitor possible health outcomes associated with prolonged consumption of genetically modified foods.