By Aliyu DANLADI
Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), has called for strict regulation of new and emerging aspects of the application of modern biotechnology.
Ebegba made the call in Abuja on Wednesday during his submission at the Public Hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Environment and Habitat to amend Section 43 of the NBMA Act 2015.
He listed the new and emerging technologies to include gene drive, gene editing, synthetic biology and bio-security.
“The NBMA supports the inclusion of the regulation of gene drive, gene-editing, synthetic biology and bio-security and other related matters in the NBMA Act 2015.
“Since the use of their products and their practice is related to humans, animals, the environment and the economy therefore bio-safety measures need to be applied holistically.
“The proposed law is in tandem with international legal requirements in biodiversity conservation taking into account human health,” he said.
According to him, the absence of regulation of these technologies might lead to a closed door on research and development and the immense contributions expected from these aspects in Nigeria.
“We are mindful of the fact that safe science, technology and innovation are drivers of change and will not want a situation where Nigeria will become a dumping ground for their products,” he added.
The D-G told the members that the need to regulate evolving technologies could not be over-emphasised, since an offence could not be said to have been committed in the absence of a law.
Mr Obinna Chidoka, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment and Habitat said that the proposed bill would include the emerging technologies as they are critical aspects of modern biotechnology.
“And as such it is very important to include them into the NBMA law.
“Our decisions will be guided by the need to do what is right for Nigerians,” Chidoka said.
Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was represented by Mr Ado Dogo, the Chief Whip of the house, said the bill would strengthen and enlarge the regulation of the potential effects of the new technologies on human health and the environment.
“This will provide measures for effective public participation and also contribute to food security and ensure that Nigeria benefit from the safe use of these new technologies.
The bill for an act to amend the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015 is to enlarge the scope of the application including other evolving aspects of the application of modern Biotechnology in Nigeria.
This is with a view to preventing any adverse effect on human health and the environment; and for related matters, was sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Environment Hon. Obinna Chidoka.===NAN
