Clarion Olusegun
The Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) has called for greater trust in biotechnology, stronger collaboration among stakeholders, and increased investment in research for national development.
In her welcome address at the 37th Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Umudike, Abia State, the National President of BSN, Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu, noted the Society’s advocacy for the safe use of biotechnology in tackling Nigeria’s health, food security, and environmental challenges.
She highlighted the advances made in healthcare through biotechnology, citing mRNA vaccines, sickle cell research, and gene therapy. “Modern biotechnology has revolutionized health care… We are very close to having an affordable cure for sickle cell disease and other DNA-related illnesses such as hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS.”.
On food security, she said innovations such as Bt cowpea and TELA maize, developed by Nigerian scientists, require minimal insecticide use and offer better yields. “Nigerian beans will soon no longer be rejected in international trade because of high pesticide residues,” she assured, pointing to biotechnology as a solution for both food safety and productivity.
Prof. Uzochukwu also emphasized environmental gains, noting that pest-resistant crops and biotech-driven oil spill cleanup technologies are already making farmlands and fishing waters safer. She urged Nigerians to trust local scientists and regulators: “Nigerians should rest assured that the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria has their back covered on the matter of GM foods.”
On the society’s advocacy efforts, she explained that a symposium was organized around the safety of GMOs and vaccines in November last year, in partnership with National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
“In the spirit of collaboration with important stakeholders, we submitted a proposal to the Energy Commission of Nigeria on National Bio-Energy Partnership Development Strategies. We are hoping our members involved in Bio-energy research who prepared the proposal, would represent us in the project when it takes off.
“Within the period, some anti-GM lobbies presented petitions to the Senate and the House of Representatives, demanding a ban of genetically modified (GM) food in the country. We prepared and submitted responses to the two houses, in defence of the technology, on behalf of the Society. We were invited to a public hearing on the matter and we also attended on your behalf. We are confident that the relevant House Committees will view our submissions positively.
“In this conference, we have assembled a group of powerful speakers to address our major and sub themes on how innovations in Biotechnology can foster National growth especially in areas of food security, health care and a safe environment,” she added.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee and Director of Biotechnology and Product Development at NRCRI, Dr. Joseph Onyeka, welcomed participants with gratitude to the host institutions; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU) and the National Root Cr
