By Frank Tietie
Recently, I have received several calls and inquiries about why I promote genetically engineered (GE) crops, often called genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The calls followed a flood of viral opinionated videos, mainly from East and Southern Africa, including Nigeria, that are parading unfounded and misleading claims that GM crops are harmful to human health and that the proponents of the application of safe, modern biotechnology and its products like GM crops have targeted and killed over 34,000 Nigerian farmers who grow local seeds.
I am therefore hosting this meeting not only to address these false and misleading claims but also to urge Nigerian scientists and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the national and international legal regimes of biosafety to develop and introduce genetically engineered food and cash crops for the benefit of the people of Nigeria and the prosperity of its farmers.
NOTE: This personal effort to promote public acceptance of GM Foods aligns with the Citizens Advocacy for Social &Economic Rights (CASER) mandate through its Food Avail Nigeria programme.
Therefore, this meeting is neither AFFILIATED NOR FUNDED by any private or public organizations but is motivated first, in addition to CASER’s mandate, by my personal convictions of over 20 years of inquiries and interest dating back to my student days at the University of Benin, research, practice, and engagements with biotechnology experts within and out of Nigeria.
-Frank Tietie
Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER) &
Convener, Food Avail Nigeria- Where Technology Guarantees Food Security
