National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Act and Genetic Modified Products: Legal, Challenges and Prospects

This paper discusses the challenges and prospects of genetic modified products under National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Act 2015. The food market is undergoing profound changes in developed and underdeveloped countries like Nigeria where the issue of economic recession has affected food security, especially in the area of transgenic products known as the Genetically Modified (GM) products which has caused huge controversy among consumers, environmental groups, farmers, researchers and companies. The intrusive process of products has been in existence for thousands of years, often due to mistakes and failures, initially it was done by crossing organisms with desirable properties with the aim of creating and producing new plants and animals that would benefit humans. That is, it would provide better quality food, more opportunities for people to move and transport products, greater profitability, disease resistance, and so on. Some rudimentary concepts related to genetically modified products include: Notion of substantial equivalence; precautionary principle; safeguard clause; Cartagena protocol; and labeling of genetically modified products. It is not uncommon that humans have always modified the genome of both plants and animals because of its numerous benefits such as hunger elimination, economic benefits, insect and nematode resistance, among others. However, the creation of genetically modified organisms is not free of conflict. Part of the equation concerns the objections of those who dispute genetically modified organisms to the manipulation of life, as opposed to proponents who argue that it is essentially an extension of the traditional cultivation of plants and animals. Reproductive technologies and conflicts also exist about the risks to the environment and human health that result from the use of genetically modified organisms. The absence of a globally accepted framework of the NBMA Act has affected the decrease in technological development with negative consequences in advance development of new technologies. The way forward put in place recommended that GMO Act Associated with NBMA Act should be harmonized together and implemented using actionable plans. Genetically modified plants can offer maximum benefits for food security and the adaptation of plants to existing climate change without jeopardising the environment and human health.