201
By Tracy Moses
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has highlighted biotechnology as a pivotal component in the nation’s quest for improved healthcare delivery system.
This is just as he encouraged Nigerians to embrace biotechnology’s potential while dispelling longstanding concerns about the safety of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Addressing participants at a biotechnology and biosafety awareness workshop held at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, Dr. Salako emphasized the government’s commitment to developing a safe, innovation-driven biotechnology sector that can deliver significant health and economic benefits to the country.
He said, “Biotechnology presents opportunities for the development of advanced diagnostics, therapeutics, immunotherapies, regenerative medicine, and vaccine production through recombinant DNA technology.
“This is essential in improving maternal and child health, combating endemic diseases, and enhancing the overall quality of life.”
Dr. Salako warned that Nigeria cannot afford to overlook the immense potential biotechnology holds, especially in tackling issues like nutritional deficiencies and enhancing healthcare delivery systems.
The Minister also addressed the ongoing perception about GMOs, urging critics to provide peer-reviewed scientific evidence to back their claims.
“For over 30 years, more than 2,000 scientific studies have consistently demonstrated that GMO foods are just as safe as conventional foods, and in some cases, they even provide superior health benefits,” he stated.
He referenced the consensus among leading global scientific organizations, including the US National Academy of Sciences, the Union of German Academies of Sciences and Humanities, and over 275 independent scientific bodies, all affirming the safety of GMOs.
“In 2012, 110 Nobel laureates publicly declared that crops developed through biotechnology are at least as safe as, if not safer than, conventional crops, given the thorough scrutiny they undergo,” Dr. Salako added.
The Minister revealed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is working in collaboration with agencies like the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), and NAFDAC to strengthen the regulation and labeling of GMO products within Nigeria’s food markets.
Reaffirming the government’s dedication to transparency and accountability, the Minister noted that systems such as GMO labeling and pre-market approvals are already being implemented. He called for greater collaboration between researchers, industry leaders, regulators, and the public.
“Our policies must be based on scientific evidence, not fear or special interests. We remain open to constructive discussions, but we will not allow misinformation to obstruct progress,” he stated.
Participants at the workshop included representatives from the health, science, agriculture, and regulatory sectors, all of whom committed to supporting the safe adoption of biotechnology in Nigeria.