• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Need For Caution Over GMO Foods

by Editorial
4 months ago
in Editorial
GMO Foods
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

There is consistent controversy over the safety of Genetically Modified Organic (GMO) foods in the country. Experts worldwide are divided over the use of GMO foods, especially in developing countries. While some say GMO foods harm human health, others note they are healthy and enhance agricultural productivity and food security.

Advertisement

The debate surrounding the safety of GMO foods has been ongoing for several years now, with the accompanying anxiety regarding their safety for human consumption. While some argue that GMO foods are safe for human consumption, others remain skeptical of the long-term effects of consuming such foods. In Nigeria, GMOs have become a particularly contentious issue, with many Nigerians expressing concern over their safety.

GMOs are organisms whose DNA has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. The technology is often called modern biotechnology or gene technology, sometimes also called recombinant DNA technology or genetic engineering. It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another and between nonrelated species. Foods produced from or using GM organisms are often called GMO foods.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), GMO foods currently available on the international market have passed safety assessments and are not likely to present risks to human health. It argues that no effects on human health have been shown due to the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved.

We are told that GMO bananas produce human vaccines against infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, fish mature more quickly, fruit and nut trees yield years earlier, and plants produce new plastics with unique properties. Technologies for genetically modified foods offer dramatic promise for meeting some of the 21st-century’s most significant challenges.

RELATED

NSF 2024: Kalu, Invited Athletes’ Amarachi Excel In Weightlifting

A National Sports Festival, A National Mourning

3 hours ago
Eid al-Adha: A Lesson In Service And Sacrifice

Eid al-Adha: A Lesson In Service And Sacrifice

1 day ago

Like all new technologies, GMO foods and crops pose some known and unknown risks. Controversies and public concerns surrounding GM foods and crops commonly focus on human and environmental safety, labelling and consumer choice, intellectual property rights, ethics, food security, poverty reduction, and environmental conservation.

One of the main concerns surrounding GMOs is the potential for unintended consequences. Genetic modification involves the insertion of foreign genes into the DNA of an organism, which can sometimes have unexpected effects. While these effects may not be apparent in the short term, they could have long-term consequences that are not yet fully understood.

Another concern is the potential for allergenicity. Inserting foreign genes into a food can sometimes produce new proteins, which could trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. This is particularly disturbing in a country like Nigeria, where many people already suffer from food allergies.

Despite these concerns, some argue that GMOs are safe for human consumption. They point out that GMOs have been extensively tested and approved by regulatory agencies in many countries worldwide. They also argue that GMOs have the potential to increase crop yields and reduce the use of pesticides, which could have positive environmental and economic benefits.

Experts also believe that GMOs are safe for consumption, noting that they are genetically modified to boost food security and enhance farmers’ profits.

While these arguments are compelling, we believe that caution is still warranted. The long-term effects of consuming GMOs are not yet fully understood, and it is essential to ensure that these foods are safe before they are widely adopted. Therefore, we call on the federal government to conduct thorough research into the safety of GMOs and take steps to ensure that the public is fully informed about these foods’ potential risks and benefits.

As a media house, we believe it is essential to approach this issue cautiously. While it is true that GMOs have the potential to address some of the challenges of food insecurity in Nigeria, it is equally essential to ensure that these foods are safe for human consumption.

We make this point because there are arguments that this hype on GMOs by developed countries could be part of a campaign to check the population growth in developing countries, including Nigeria. It is pertinent to remember this fact, especially as these developed countries give their citizens options such as “organic” or “inorganic”.  In Nigeria, the citizens are not given room to choose.

We are aware that the Nigerian government has affirmed the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including the recently endorsed TELA corn, for both planting and consumption. Notwithstanding, we demand that they do more research and regulations.

This investigation must be thorough and unbiased. To ensure this, the National Assembly should engage independent researchers to avoid GMO promoters contaminating the process. This investigation should consider Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, investigate the underlying causes of hunger/food insecurity, and establish definite measures to address those issues. This is the time to rescue Nigerians from being used for risky experiments.


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

START EARNING US DOLLARS as a Nigerian ($35,000) monthly. Companies are sacking their workers due to AI (artificial intelligence), business owners are in panic mode. Only the smart will make it. Click here


Tags: Genetically Modified Organic (GMO)GMO
SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Tinubu Has Allayed Fears Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket – Northern CAN

Next Post

Despite Security Alert, Crowd Gathers For Tijjaniyya Maulud In Kano

Editorial

Editorial

You May Like

NSF 2024: Kalu, Invited Athletes’ Amarachi Excel In Weightlifting
Editorial

A National Sports Festival, A National Mourning

2025/06/07
Eid al-Adha: A Lesson In Service And Sacrifice
Editorial

Eid al-Adha: A Lesson In Service And Sacrifice

2025/06/06
Don’t Kill The Fun
Editorial

Improving Voter Turnout In Future Elections

2025/06/05
Nigeria And Fragmented ECOWAS
Editorial

ECOWAS At 50: Resetting West Africa’s Growth Agenda

2025/06/04
Flood: We Lost 200 Lives, 1000  Still Missing – Niger Govt
Editorial

Niger Floods: Between Preparedness And Disaster

2025/06/03
NASS
Editorial

The National Assembly Nigerians Want

2025/06/02
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Three Crown Expresses Commitment To Healthy Dairy Nutrition

Equities Transactions On NGX Drops By 56.4%

Highlife Legend Mike Ejeagha, Voice Behind ‘Gwogwogwo,’ Dies At 95

Robust Capital Market Crucial For Nigeria’s Economic Prosperity – NGX Chairman

Your Defection To APC Has Ruined Your Reputation, PDP Professionals Tell Gov Eno

Catholic Bishops Ask FG To Stop Benue Killings

Governor Inuwa Yahaya, Emir Of Gombe, UN Envoy, Others Observe Eid Prayers In Gombe

CDS Felicitates With Front Line Troops, Hails Courage

Former Zambian President Lungu Dies At 68

Remi Tinubu Urges Compassion, Prayer for Nigeria

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.