One very controversial and vexed topic that may have to stay with us for a while is whether Ghana really needs Genetically Modified Organisms, simply referred to as GMOs.
What is GMO?
The term genetically modified organism (GMO), according to FreeDictionary, is used to refer to any microorganism, plant or animal in which genetic engineering techniques have been used to introduce, remove or modify specific parts of its genome.
Examples include plants being modified for pest resistance; laboratory animals being manipulated to exhibit human diseases, such as sickle cell anaemia; and even glowing jellyfish genes inserted in a rabbit for an art piece.
In other words, genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally; for example, through the introduction of a gene from a different organism.
The World Health Organisation describes GMOs as organisms in which the DNA has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The technology is often called severally to include genetic engineering. It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, also between non-related species.
Controversies
Currently, Ghana is sharply divided between endorsing and rejecting the introduction of GMOs into the Ghanaian market.
While some food experts maintain that GMOs are safe, the civil society organisations (CSOs)and other interest groups insist that there is ample scientific proof that there are long-term side effects of GM food. The Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), Food Sovereignty Ghana, the Catholic Bishops Conference and the Convention People?s Party have all come out strongly against the introduction of GMOs, cautioning the government not to rush into adopting GM foods because of its long-term side effects.
They called for thorough discussions and deliberations to ascertain the merit or otherwise of GMOs citing examples from Russia, China, Hawaii, and India as countries which had adopted GMOs but were now backtracking. In addition, the CSOs and other concerned bodies have also cited Los Angeles as considering a ban on the cultivation, sale and distribution of genetically modified organisms, which would make the city the largest GMO-free zone in the US.
Schools of thought
However, some experts say there are no known risks involved in the use of GM food in the countries where they were commercialised, stressing, ?These GM foods are safe and there are no cause for alarm,? the Head of the Microbiology Division of the Food Research Institute (FRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Margaret Ottah Atikpo told the Daily Graphic, adding that the GM food was not injurious to human life.
Recently, the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF), at a press conference to state its position on the topic, declared its support for the introduction of GMOs.
?GNAFF is committed to promoting and embracing any proven technology that is beneficial to agriculture, especially smallholder farmers and fishers in Ghana and this includes biotechnology (Bt),? the National Secretary of GNAFF, Mr John Dziwornu, declared.
Yet the CSOs are citing examples of adverse effect on countries that are currently using GMOs. For instance, they cite risks such as cancer, allergies and infertility as among other.
Russian scientists, for instance, are said to be calling for a 10-year moratorium on GMOs to thoroughly study their influence on human health, stressing that such examinations are vital.
India, the CSOs claimed had already put a 10-year moratorium on GMOs.
The governing council for Hawaii (or Big) Island has banned biotech companies from operating on the island while barring growth of genetically modified organisms, linking cancer, birth deformities, tumors, sterility and other conditions to GMO consumption.
Way forward
It is important that our scientists rethink their position on educating the public on GMOs and sit down with CSOs and other concerned bodies to discuss this all important issue.
For instance, a heavy weight in the health profession like Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, a former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service is among those who are kicking against GMOs and this should be a case of concern for the scientists.
It is often said that there is no smoke without fire. Obviously there should be an iota of truth in what both the scientists who are in support of GMOs and the anti-GMOs groups are saying. Genetic engineering, we must all admit is a recent scientific breakthrough, which is yet to be accepted by all as a flawless scientific discovery.
It is heart-warming that the scientists have clearly confessed that ?there are no known risks such as cancer, allergies and infertility involved in the use of GM food in the countries where they are commercialised?.
This is a useful ?confession?, implying that research work on the issue is still ongoing and when they come across any adverse findings the anti-GMOs are trumpeting, they will surely let us know.
Currently, Ghanaians are confused and are fed on all manner of information on GMOs. Who are to liberate them? The scientists would be failing in their duties to educate Ghanaians on the benefits of GMOs and also caution them the side effects. That is the only way Ghanaians would appreciate GMOs and decide whether they like it or not.
Source Graphic Business
