Lanre Omotoso
Nigerians have been advised to disregard the misconception that Genetically Modified, GM Crops can lead to cancer and other terminal diseases.
A lecturer in the Department of Soil Resources and Environmental Management, Ekiti State University,
Ado Ekiti, Professor Olusegun Aruleba made the clarification on the controversy sorrounding adoption, planting and consumption of GM Crops.
Professor Aruleba said no evidence had shown that GM Crops led to any terminal diseases in countries like United States, Argentina and Brazil who are the largest producers of such crops.
The agriculturist noted that people of the countries where the GM Crops were produced enjoyed longer life than that of other countries, saying that the move is to increase food production.
The Don identified GM Crops as scientific innovation that would enable crops have improved nutrients, withstand pest and drought.
He also identified other benefits to include longer shelf life, higher yields compared to the indigenous crops as well as reducing environmental resources such as water, fertilizer and herbicide.
However, a farmer, Mr. Benedict Akinyede called on the Nigerian Government not to allow the GM Crops into the country.
Mr. Akinyede alleged that countries such as South Africa, Russia, China, India, Venezuela, Greece and Poland which hitherto embraced the crops had banned them due to its adverse effects on human-beings, livestocks and the environment.
The farmer stressed that the crops had the ability to cross fertilize other natural seeds planted within certain radius, which would automatically fade away indigenous crops.
He maintaned that fading out indigenous crops would leave farmers at the mercy of monopolised seed capitalist, whose main business is exploitation.
The farmer emphasized that the health implications might not be felt instantly, but expressed fears that the crop that withstand drought and pest may not be suitable for human consumption.
According to research, Genetically Modified Crops are the ones whose DNA had been altered using biotechnology to introduce genes from one species into another, while some of the crops include Corn, Soybeans and Cotton.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS; Don, Farmer express divergent views
Lanre Omotoso
Nigerians have been advised to disregard the misconception that Genetically Modified, GM Crops can lead to cancer and other terminal diseases.
A lecturer in the Department of Soil Resources and Environmental Management, Ekiti State University,
Ado Ekiti, Professor Olusegun Aruleba made the clarification on the controversy sorrounding adoption, planting and consumption of GM Crops.
Professor Aruleba said no evidence had shown that GM Crops led to any terminal diseases in countries like United States, Argentina and Brazil who are the largest producers of such crops.
The agriculturist noted that people of the countries where the GM Crops were produced enjoyed longer life than that of other countries, saying that the move is to increase food production.
The Don identified GM Crops as scientific innovation that would enable crops have improved nutrients, withstand pest and drought.
He also identified other benefits to include longer shelf life, higher yields compared to the indigenous crops as well as reducing environmental resources such as water, fertilizer and herbicide.
However, a farmer, Mr. Benedict Akinyede called on the Nigerian Government not to allow the GM Crops into the country.
Mr. Akinyede alleged that countries such as South Africa, Russia, China, India, Venezuela, Greece and Poland which hitherto embraced the crops had banned them due to its adverse effects on human-beings, livestocks and the environment.
The farmer stressed that the crops had the ability to cross fertilize other natural seeds planted within certain radius, which would automatically fade away indigenous crops.
He maintaned that fading out indigenous crops would leave farmers at the mercy of monopolised seed capitalist, whose main business is exploitation.
The farmer emphasized that the health implications might not be felt instantly, but expressed fears that the crop that withstand drought and pest may not be suitable for human consumption.
According to research, Genetically Modified Crops are the ones whose DNA had been altered using biotechnology to introduce genes from one species into another, while some of the crops include Corn, Soybeans and Cotton.
