92 CSOs want Reps to prohibit GMOs

By Christiana Ekpa

No fewer than 92 African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has urged the House of Representatives to prohibit use and consumption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in the country to protect the environment and the health of citizen.
The coalition made the recommendation on Tuesday, at a public hearing on GMO organised by Joint Committees on Agricultural Production and Services, Privatisation, Commercialisation, Public Asset, Science Engineering and Special Duties.
The coalition which was led by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) said that the rising cases of cancer and other related illnesses are traceable to the use and consumption of GMO.
In a document presented to the committee by Ms Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes (HOMEF) the coalition explained GMOs are products of genetic engineering which is a technology that allows scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes at the cellular level in a way that is not possible via traditional or natural processes.
According to them, it allows DNA from one type of organism to be introduced into another related or unrelated species; genetic manipulation is also done within a single organism.
They said that campaign against GMOs is particularly against genetic modification of food crops and animals and any other genetic modification that will alter ecosystem balance, negatively impact agriculture, destroy local economy and foods.
They said that 19 European Union countries, four Asian countries, two African countries, five countries in the Americas have banned GMOs.
According to them, up to 64 countries require manufacturers to label foods with GMOs as an increasing number of people around the world are choosing to eat organic and non-GMO products.
The coalition cited an array of studies and research that concluded that that use and consumption GMOs have adverse effects on consumers.
“It is noteworthy that nearly all studies that claim GMOs are safe are funded by the very biotechnology corporations that produce and/or profit from GMOs sales.
“Several studies have linked the consumption of GMOs to a myriad of diseases including antibiotics resistance, the commercially approved Bt Cowpea expresses an enzyme which confers resistance to antibiotics – neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII).