GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS AND IMPLICATIONS ON TRADITIONAL CROPS AND HEALTH SECURITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Genetically Modified Food (GMF) is an invention targeted at ensuring food security, but with significant environmental and health implications. There were controversies associated with its adoption in Nigeria. These included pesticide resistance, biodiversity and ownership of intellectual property rights. Studies have focused on these issues but with limited consideration for their implications on health and traditional crops in the local environment. The study therefore, examined the adoption of GMF and its implications for traditional crops and health security in Nigeria. Burton’s Human Needs Theory served as a framework while cross-sectional survey design was used. Data were derived from both primary and secondary sources using purposive sampling techniques. A questionnaire with themes that included reasons, perceptions of stakeholders, controversies, implications and concerns for GMF in Nigeria was used to collect data from 420 stratified respondents from the six geopolitical zones: academia (135), regulatory bodies (123), research institutes (80), farmers (19) and civil society organisations working on the health and environment (63). Twenty-two in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with stakeholders in academia (5), regulatory bodies (2), research institutes (9), farmers (2) and civil society organisations working on the health and environment (4). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis at p ≤ 0.05, while qualitative data were content analysed. The regulatory bodies supported the adoption and cultivation of GMF in Nigeria while the members of civil society organisations working on the health and environment opposed it. Pesticide resistance and economic diversification were among the reasons for adopting GMF in Nigeria. The adoption of GMF in Nigeria improved resistance to pests and diseases (92.0%), led to a reduction in yield deficits (91.0%), improved nutritional quality (87.0%) and increased crop varieties (85.0). The controversies about GMF included genetic pollution of non-GMO plants (65.7%), health risk (61.4%), the risk to the environment (58.3%), the passage of a bio-safety bill to regulate GMF cultivation and sales (55.0%), suspicious scientific research and publications (54.3%). The high cost of GMF seeds and products can lead farmers into debt (52.4%) and food insecurity in Nigeria (50.0%). The individual factor loading indicated escape of modified crops from farms (0.78>0.5), gene flow (0.77>0.5) and horizontal gene transfer (0.74>0.5) as significant environmental issues capable of decimating traditional crops. It also indicated greenhouse gas emission (0.77>0.5), toxicity (0.74>0.5) and adverse nutritional changes (0.71>0.5) as potent risks to health security. The adoption of GMF has checked the problems of pests and diseases, reduced yield deficits, increased crop varieties and improved nutritional quality. Nonetheless, to achieve an acceptable GMF regime in the country, stakeholders should provide measures to avoid genetic pollution. An indigenous intelligence framework of institutional collaboration should be put in place and stakeholders should be carried along in biosafety management to ensure the longterm protection of traditional crops and health security.