Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) has been a topic of intense debate in the scientific community, among policymakers and in public discourse for several decades.
As the global population continues to grow and climate change poses increasing challenges to agriculture, the role of GMOs to food safety and security has become more prominent.
However, concerns about their safety for human consumption and potential environmental impacts persist.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of GMO foods, their safety, and their potential role in addressing global food challenges, with a particular focus on their development and use in Nigeria.
Background Information
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering.
This science creates combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods (WHO, 2014).
The history of genetic modification in crops dates back to the early 1970s when the first recombinant DNA molecule was created.
However, it wasn’t until 1994 that the first genetically modified food product, the Flavr Savr tomato, was commercially released according to Bruening and Lyons, 2000.
The process of creating a GMO typically involves several steps:
- Identification of the desired trait
- Isolation of the gene responsible for that trait
- Insertion of the gene into the target organism’s genome
- Growth and testing of the modified organism
Common genetic modifications in crops include:
- Herbicide resistance: Allows crops to survive herbicide application, making weed control easier.
- Pest resistance: Enables plants to produce their own pesticides, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
- Disease resistance: Enhances the plant’s ability to withstand viral, bacterial, or fungal infections.
- Improved nutritional content: Increases the levels of essential nutrients in the crop.
- Drought tolerance: Enhances the plant’s ability to survive in water-scarce conditions.
According to the ISAAA, as of 2021, the most common GM crops globally are soybean, maize, cotton, and canola. These crops are primarily used for animal feed, biofuels, and in the production of processed foods.
Overview of GMO Adoption
The global adoption of genetically modified crops has been steadily increasing since their commercial introduction in the mid-1990s. As of 2019, 29 countries were growing biotech crops on 190.4 million hectares (ISAAA, 2019). Here’s an overview of some key countries and regions:
United States
The USA is the world’s largest producer of GM crops, with 75.0 million hectares under cultivation as of 2019. The main GM crops grown are corn, soybean, cotton, canola, sugar beets, alfalfa, papaya, and squash.
Brazil
The second-largest producer of GM crops globally, Brazil had 52.8 million hectares under GM cultivation in 2019. The primary GM crops are soybean, corn, and cotton.
Argentina
Argentina is the third-largest producer, with 24.0 million hectares. The country mainly grows GM soybean, corn, and cotton.
Canada
Canada had 12.5 million hectares under GM crop cultivation in 2019, primarily canola, soybean, corn, and sugar beets.
India
India is the largest producer of GM cotton, with 11.9 million hectares under cultivation in 2019.
China
China had 3.2 million hectares under GM crop cultivation in 2019, primarily cotton and papaya.
European Union
The EU has been more cautious in its approach to GM crops. As of 2019, only one GM crop (MON 810 maize) was approved for cultivation, grown primarily in Spain and Portugal on about 0.1 million hectares.
Africa
Several African countries have adopted GM crops, including South Africa (2.7 million hectares in 2019), Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and eSwatini (formerly Swaziland).
It’s important to note that while these countries grow GM crops, their regulatory approaches and public acceptance vary widely. For instance:
The United States has a relatively permissive regulatory environment for GMOs, considering them substantially equivalent to non-GM crops if they meet certain criteria.
The European Union has stricter regulations, requiring rigorous safety assessments and labeling of GM foods. Many African countries are in the process of developing regulatory frameworks for GM crops, balancing potential benefits with safety concerns.
The global distribution and adoption of GM crops continue to evolve as countries weigh the potential benefits against perceived risks and public concerns. In the next sections, we’ll explore these concerns in more detail, focusing on established food and environmental safety issues associated with GMOs.
Food Safety Concerns Associated With GMO’s
The safety of GMO foods for human consumption has been a subject of intense scientific scrutiny and public debate. Several key concerns have been raised:
Allergenicity:
One of the primary concerns is the potential for GMOs to introduce new allergens into the food supply. This worry stems from the possibility that genes transferred from one organism to another could code for proteins that cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
However, extensive testing is conducted to assess the allergenic potential of GM foods before they are approved for market. A study in 2008 found no evidence of increased allergenicity in GM crops compared to their conventional counterparts. The states that all GM foods currently on the international market have passed safety assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health.
Antibiotic Resistance:
Early GMO development often used antibiotic resistance genes as markers. This raised concerns about these genes potentially transferring to gut bacteria, leading to antibiotic-resistant strains.
Research by Keese (2008) found that the probability of such transfer is extremely low. Moreover, modern GMO development techniques have largely moved away from using antibiotic resistance markers.
Toxicity:
Concerns exist about GMOs potentially producing new toxins harmful to human health. However, GM crops undergo extensive toxicity testing before approval.
A comprehensive review by Nicolia et al. (2014) of 1,783 studies on the safety and environmental impacts of GM crops found no significant hazards directly connected with the use of GE crops.
Nutritional Changes:
There are concerns that genetic modification might alter the nutritional content of foods. However, GM crops are required to demonstrate substantial equivalence to their non-GM counterparts in terms of nutritional composition.
In some cases, GMOs are specifically designed to enhance nutritional content. For example, Golden Rice was developed to address Vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.
Long-term Health Effects:
Some argue that the long-term effects of consuming GM foods are unknown. While it’s true that GMOs have only been in widespread use for a few decades, numerous long-term studies have been conducted.
A meta-analysis of 24 long-term feeding studies, ranging from 90 days to 2 years, found no evidence of health hazards from the consumption of GM foods.
Gene Flow:
There’s concern about GM crops cross-pollinating with non-GM crops or wild relatives, potentially spreading engineered genes uncontrollably.
Studies have shown that while gene flow can occur, its frequency and impact depend on various factors including crop species and agricultural practices. Proper management strategies, such as isolation distances and buffer zones, can effectively minimize gene flow (Ricroch et al., 2015).
Impact on Non-target Organisms:
Concerns exist about GM crops harming beneficial insects or other non-target species.
Research has shown varied results. While some early studies suggested potential harm to monarch butterflies from Bt corn pollen, subsequent research found the real-world impact to be negligible (Dively et al., 2004). However, ongoing monitoring is crucial to detect any long-term effects.
Development of Resistant Pests and Weeds:
There are worries that widespread use of GM crops could lead to the evolution of resistant pests and weeds.
This is a valid concern and has been observed in some cases, particularly with herbicide-resistant weeds. However, this issue is not unique to GM crops and can occur with conventional pest and weed management practices as well. Integrated pest management strategies are crucial to mitigate this risk (Tabashnik et al., 2013).
Biodiversity Loss:
Some argue that the widespread adoption of GM crops could lead to a reduction in crop diversity and impact local ecosystems.
While monoculture farming (whether GM or conventional) can indeed impact biodiversity, GM technology itself doesn’t inherently reduce genetic diversity. In fact, it can be used to preserve crop diversity by introducing desirable traits into a wider variety of crop species and varieties (Carpenter, 2011).
Soil and Water Impacts:
There are concerns about how GM crops might affect soil microorganisms or contribute to water pollution.
Studies have shown that crops can reduce the use of chemical insecticides, potentially benefiting soil and water ecosystems. However, the increased use of herbicides on herbicide-resistant crops is a point of ongoing research and debate.
These food and environmental safety concerns have been the subject of extensive scientific research. While some concerns persist and ongoing monitoring is crucial, the current scientific consensus, as stated by organizations like the WHO, FAO, and numerous national academies of science is that GM foods currently on the market are safe for human consumption and that GM crops do not pose greater environmental risks than conventional crops. However, each new GM organism should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Pros and Cons Of GMO’s
Like any technology, GMOs have both advantages and disadvantages. Let’s examine these in detail:
Pros of GMOs:
- Increased Crop Yields
- Pest Resistance:
- Herbicide Tolerance:
- Drought and Salinity Tolerance:
- Nutritional Enhancement:
- Reduced Food Waste:
- Economic Benefits
Cons of GMOs:
Potential Health Concerns:
While current scientific consensus suggests GM foods are safe, some argue that long-term effects are still unknown.
- Environmental Concerns
- Reduced Biodiversity
- Herbicide Resistance in Weeds
- Socioeconomic Issues
- Regulatory Challenges
- Public Perception and Acceptance
Establishing a Stand On GMO’s in Nigeria
To establish a position on the use of GMOs in Nigeria, we must consider the country’s unique challenges, opportunities, and socio-economic context:
Food Security Challenges
Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, faces significant food security challenges. According to the World Food Programme (2021), about 12.8 million Nigerians face food insecurity. GMOs could potentially help address this by increasing crop yields and resilience.
Agricultural Productivity
Nigeria’s agricultural productivity lags behind global averages. For instance, the average maize yield in Nigeria is about 1.8 tonnes per hectare, compared to the global average of 5.8 tonnes per hectare. GM crops could help bridge this productivity gap.
Climate Change
Nigeria is vulnerable to climate change impacts, including irregular rainfall patterns and increased drought frequency. Drought-tolerant GM crops could help mitigate these challenges.
Pest and Disease Pressure
Nigerian farmers face significant crop losses due to pests and diseases. The recently approved Bt cowpea, for example, is expected to reduce insecticide use by 80% while increasing yields by 20% (AATF, 2020).
Nutritional Deficiencies
Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in Nigeria. Biofortified GM crops could potentially address some of these nutritional gaps.
Economic Considerations
Agriculture contributes about 25% to Nigeria’s GDP and employs about 70% of the labor force (World Bank, 2021). Improving agricultural productivity through GM technology could have significant economic benefits.
Regulatory Capacity
Nigeria has made progress in establishing a regulatory framework for GMOs, but continued investment in regulatory capacity and enforcement is crucial.
Public Perception
While there’s growing acceptance of biotechnology among Nigerian farmers and researchers, public awareness and acceptance remain challenges
Considering these factors, a balanced approach to GMO adoption in Nigeria appears warranted:
Cautious Implementation
Nigeria should continue its case-by-case assessment of GM crops, focusing on those that address critical national needs such as food security, climate resilience, and nutritional enhancement.
Strengthening Regulatory Capacity
Continued investment in regulatory infrastructure and personnel training is crucial to ensure effective oversight of GM crop development and use.
Research and Development
Nigeria should continue to invest in both GM and non-GM agricultural research, focusing on crops and traits most relevant to local needs and conditions.
Public Engagement and Education
Efforts should be made to enhance public understanding of GMOs, their potential benefits, and associated risks. This should include transparent communication of research findings and regulatory decisions.
Preserving Biodiversity
While adopting GM crops, Nigeria should also prioritize the conservation of its rich agricultural biodiversity, including landraces and wild relatives of cultivated crops.
Socioeconomic Considerations
Policies should be implemented to ensure that small-scale farmers, who make up the majority of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, can benefit from GM technology if they choose to adopt it.
International Collaboration
Nigeria should continue to engage in international collaborations and knowledge-sharing on GM technology, while ensuring that adopted solutions are tailored to local contexts.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Long-term monitoring of the environmental and health impacts of adopted GM crops should be conducted to inform future decision-making.
In conclusion, while GMOs are not a panacea for all of Nigeria’s agricultural challenges, they represent a potentially valuable tool in the country’s agricultural toolbox. Their judicious application, combined with other sustainable agricultural practices, could contribute significantly to food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
However, it’s crucial that this technology be developed and deployed responsibly, with robust regulatory oversight, ongoing research, and meaningful public engagement. Nigeria’s approach to GMOs should be adaptive, responding to new scientific evidence, changing societal needs, and emerging challenges.
As Nigeria continues on its path of GMO adoption and development, it will be essential to carefully balance the potential benefits with necessary precautions, always keeping the welfare of its people and the protection of its environment at the forefront of decision-making.
