It was indeed an exciting open discussion this week with one of the largest turnouts of professionals sharing their views on GMOs in Nigeria: for or against? Before the discussion started, Mrs. Tolulope Ojo, the moderator, explained that GMO stands for genetically modified organisms, first introduced in 1994 in the USA with tomatoes as the first plant.

The first speaker, Dr. Dayo Odugbemi, who spoke in support of GMOs, provided information based on scientific evidence. He highlighted the global hunger crisis, stating that 10% of the world’s population lives in hunger, 15% are malnourished, and 3 million people die annually from hunger. He stressed that with the global population projected to reach 10 million in the next few years, there will be a need for 35% more food and 50% more water. He argued favorably that GMOs could help meet these needs as they are already widely adopted in countries like the USA, Brazil, and Canada without causing widespread health issues.

Mrs. Celia Penny Moses-Nagbiku the second speaker, argued against GMOs pointing out that despite the supposed benefits, there has been an increase in diseases such as autoimmune disorders and diabetes in countries using GMOs. She argued that traditional agricultural practices have been neglected and that natural methods should be preferred. She emphasized the importance of understanding the long-term health impacts of GMOs, suggesting they might be linked to various health issues.

The third speaker, Dr. Sylvanus Ogbor, also supported GMOs, stating that innovation requires an open mind. He addressed common concerns about GMOs, such as their potential link to cancer, antibiotic resistance, and DNA alterations. He cited various studies and publications, including those from the World Health Organization, which found no empirical evidence supporting these claims. He stated emphatically that GMOs could improve food security, reduce crop losses, and enhance nutritional value.

Overall, the discussion highlighted the differing opinions on GMOs, with strong arguments presented both for and against their use. In a debate about GMOs, Dr. Patrick Ijewere, the fourth speaker, kicked against GMOs, stating that science is not always objective and can be manipulated. He cited the example of over 40,000 FDA-approved drugs being recalled despite initial scientific validation. He emphasized caution in promoting scientific findings, highlighting biases within organizations like World Health Organization (WHO), which he accused of ignoring effective treatments like Artemether for malaria due to their own interests.

Dr. Ijewere referenced Dr. Weston Price’s research from the 1930s, which showed that indigenous diets led to better health outcomes compared to diets containing processed foods. He argued that GMOs can negatively impact health, citing studies showing BT toxin from GMOs in mother’s breast milk and long-term studies indicating health issues in rats. He also expressed concerns about GMO companies controlling food production and the loss of national sovereignty.

Dr. Dayo Odugbemi, supporting GMOs, argued that science has historically improved human life, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the need for safe food options and criticized the opposition for not providing alternatives. Dr. Sylvanus Ogbor supported GMOs, mentioning successful local agricultural research in Africa and the potential for self-sufficiency.

Mrs. Jane C. Eleodi, the final speaker against GMOs, combined scientific arguments with common sense. She criticized the dependence on Western science and cited traditional African practices as evidence of local scientific knowledge. She raised concerns about the economic implications of patented GMO seeds and the potential health risks, referencing World Health Organization (WHO) reports and increases in neurodevelopmental disorders. She highlighted the need for sustainable agricultural practices and questioned the long-term safety of GMOs. During the debate, various participants raised critical questions about GMOs. One participant expressed concern that GMOs are seen as a quick fix for agricultural issues, and questioned the lack of scientific evidence proving side effects of GMOs. Mrs.Tolulope Ojo, the moderator, responded by mentioning that Dr. Dayo Odugbemi had provided extensive scientific research showing no established harmful effects of GMOs.

Another participant questioned the control over agriculture by a few large companies and the implications of relying on them for GMO seeds, citing issues like cross-pollution and legal actions against farmers. They also inquired about the technology behind GMOs and its effects. Concerns about GMOs addressing the real issues in Nigeria, such as insecurity and infrastructure, were raised by another participant who argued that GMOs might divert attention from these fundamental problems.

A participant argued that adopting GMOs might make Africa dependent on foreign technology and policies, potentially leading to food insecurity if seed supplies were cut off. Another participant highlighted the need for better storage and transportation of food rather than adopting GMOs, questioning why GMOs are not widely consumed in the UK but are shipped to Africa.

Dr. Sylvanus Ogbor responded by emphasizing innovation and the need for local research and investment in GMO technology to avoid dependency on foreign companies. Dr. Dayo Odugbemi added that there is no direct correlation between GMOs and health issues, stressing the importance of empirical evidence and scientific research rather than relying on perceptions and emotions. He noted that GMOs are widely consumed in the USA without apparent health crises.

Having had from both sides of the divide, the audience and general public are hereby advised to embrace positive scientific research, with an open mind for improved development which potentially can improve food security, and above all follow their minds on either accepting to go with the trend of GMO or stick to traditional healthy feeding methods.