GMO: HOMEF Organises Training For Judicial Officers On The Impact Of Biosafety On FHR
Professor Olugbenga Adeoluwa, a specialist in soil fertility, has attributed the rising cases of organ failure in Nigeria to the unwholesome practices of some farmers. He made this statement during a one-day judiciary training on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and the state of biosafety in Nigeria, organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) on Monday in Abuja.
The training aimed to equip members of the judiciary with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions that align with legal principles, equity, and good conscience, particularly concerning how GMOs can infringe on fundamental human rights.
Professor Adeoluwa, from the University of Ibadan, highlighted that many farmers in the country engage in practices that jeopardize the health of consumers. “Many research efforts have linked the consumption of unhealthy foods to several diseases like cancer, organ failure, and hormonal imbalance,” he said.
He emphasized that Nigeria is facing a food crisis and is almost becoming a dumping ground for questionable food products. “It is no gainsaying that the safety of GMOs—health-wise, environmentally, socially, and economically—is questionable. Nigeria should prioritize safe alternatives to GMOs to address food security and economic gains for the country.”
Safe food advocate Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje presented a paper titled “Assessing the Existing Legislation and Regulations of Biosafety in Nigeria: Where Are the Gaps? What Is the Way Forward?” In her presentation, she lamented the absence of strong laws to regulate GMOs. “There are no mentions of liability and redress in case of damage arising from the release of GMOs into the environment; no provisions for co-existence; no clear and mandatory provisions on labeling; no strict liability clause; and no checks and balances,” she noted.
One of the participants, Inibehe Effiong, commented that the training would equip judges with a better understanding of the legal framework governing GMOs.
The training was attended by lawyers from both the bar and the bench, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding GMOs and biosafety in Nigeria.
