Is Genetically Modified Rice Now In The Nigerian Market?

Is it true that genetically modified rice is now in the Nigerian market? that is the one question on the lips of Nigerians ever since the news broke out a couple of days ago. the federal government has atlast spoken up about the issue.  The Federal Government has denied that it imported and flooded Nigeria’s markets with Genetically Modified rice.
The Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency, Rufus Ebegba, made the position of government known at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that an online news platform had alleged that the Federal Government through a firm had flooded the nation’s market with poisonous GM rice.
Mr. Ebegba said that there was no iota of truth in the report. He noted that no GM rice had either been imported or released officially into the country.
According to him, no such rice has been commercially released anywhere in the world.
He said that the Federal Government had banned the importation of rice and there was no indication that the ban had been lifted.
Mr. Ebegba described the online report as a falsehood and imagination of the writer, who “probably used a fake name.”
He added that the report was intended to cause unnecessary panic and called on Nigerians to disregard it.

The director-general also urged them to join hands with the government to ensure safety in the practice of modern biotechnology in the country in line with global best practices.
He said NBMA was capable of regulating all GMO products in Nigeria and promised that the agency would not compromise on its mandate.
GMO foods have come under strong criticisms in recent times. even though some of the foods have been reported to have found there way into the Nigerian market, consumers protection agencies have continually warned of the dire consiquence of  consuming them. the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) urges doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets for all patients. They cite animal studies showing organ damage, gastrointestinal and immune system disorders, accelerated aging, and infertility. Human studies show how genetically modified (GM) food can leave material behind inside us, possibly causing long-term problems. Genes inserted into GM soy, for example, can transfer into the DNA of bacteria living inside us, and that the toxic insecticide produced by GM corn was found in the blood of pregnant women and their unborn fetuses.
Numerous health problems increased after GMOs were introduced in 1996. The percentage of Americans with three or more chronic illnesses jumped from 7% to 13% in just 9 years; food allergies skyrocketed, and disorders such as autism, reproductive disorders, digestive problems, and others are on the rise. Although there is not sufficient research to confirm that GMOs are a contributing factor, doctors groups such as the AAEM tell us not to wait before we start protecting ourselves, and especially our children who are most at risk.
The American Public Health Association and American Nurses Association are among many medical groups that condemn the use of GM bovine growth hormone, because the milk from treated cows has more of the hormone IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1)―which is linked to cancer. Story By JOHNSON OKPUSA OBASI

Categories: Food And Nutrition