‘Rising cases of cancer, others traceable to GMO crops’

The rising cases of cancer and other deadly diseases in the country have been traced to the consumption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

This was the position of 92 African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at a public hearing on GMOs, organised by the House Joint Committees on Agricultural Production and Services, Privatisation, Commercialisation, Public Asset, Science Engineering and Special Duties on Tuesday.

They called on lawmakers to prohibit the consumption of GMOs to protect the environment and the health of citizens.

Led by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), the CSOs alleged that GMOs were being deployed to depopulate the country’s population.

In a document presented to the committee by the Director of Programmes, HOMEF, Joyce Brown, the coalition explained that GMOs were products of genetic engineering that allow “scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes at the cellular level in a way that is not possible through traditional or natural processes.”

According to CSOs, the products allow Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) from one type of organism to be introduced into another related or unrelated species, and genetic manipulation is done within a single organism.

They said the campaign against GMOs was tailored to genetic modification of food crops and animals, and any other genetic modification that could alter ecosystem balance, and negatively impact agriculture, destroy local economy and foods.

The CSOs said 19 European Union (EU) countries, four Asian nations, two African countries, and five countries in the Americas had banned GMOs.

They said up to 64 countries require manufacturers to label foods with GMOs, as an increasing number of people around the world were choosing to eat organic and non-GMO products.

Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Bello Kaoje, said the issue of GMOs was an ongoing global debate with two broad opinions.

He added that their work was to engage with key stakeholders on the matter.