A disclosure came from the National Agricultural Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) that the Federal Government has put in place necessary regulatory guidelines to fast track the adoption of Genetically Modified Organisms (crops) (GMO).
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on the need for a Biosafety law for the adoption of Biotechnology in the country, NABDA Director General, Prof. Lucy Ogbadu, said the Federal Ministry of Environment has a Biosafety Unit with well trained staff internationally and nationally to manage Biosafety matters. Calling for the quick passage of the biosafety bill, Ogbadu noted that the absence of the law has hampered research and development in modern biotechnology in the country and would enable research institutes to carry out their statutory functions.
She said: “The absence of biosafety law has made it difficult for the agency, research institutes, Federal Ministry of Environment to effectively perform its statutory functions.”
Share this article
She highlighted some of the importance of Biotechnology in the country to include increase in food supply with less farmland requirement; discovery of new medicines and vaccines diagnosis for diseases such as Alzheimer, cystic, fibrosis, cancer, HIV/AIDs and also clean up of oil spills, prevention of deforestation, provision of eco-friendly materials.
Read the full, original article: Nigeria to adopt genetically modified crops, says agency
