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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
National President of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), Professor Sylvia Uzochukwu has revealed that soon, there will be affordable cure for HIV/AIDS, sickle cell, hepatitis B and other endemic diseases lodged in the DNA of man.
Prof Uzochukwu who made the revelation in her address at the 37th annual international conference of BSN, held at National Roots and Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State said great strides have been made in finding cure for the diseases through research using biotech tools.
The BSN President said health care has been revolutionized through modern biotechnology with procedures such as gene therapy, for the cure of genetic diseases.
In agriculture, Prof Uzochukwu said Nigerian scientists have developed the insect resistant beans called Bt cowpea which requires little or no insecticide sprays to do well.
She said with this development, Nigerian beans will no longer be rejected in international trade because of high pesticide residues and high levels of cancer-causing fungal toxins.
“Great strides are being made in sickle cell research using biotech tools, such that we are very close to having an affordable cure for this and other diseases lodged in the DNA of man, such as hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS.
“Nigerian beans will soon no longer be rejected in international trade because of high pesticide residues and high levels of cancer-causing fungal toxins.
“This is because Nigerian scientists have developed the insect resistant beans called Bt cowpea which requires little or no insecticide sprays to do well.
“This is also the case for the new TELA maize also developed by biotechnology, to require minimal insecticidal sprays, and therefore yield more corn and require less labour to grow.”
The BSN President expressed sadness that some anti-Genetically Modified (GM) food lobbies petitioned the National Assembly to ban GM food in the country.
She said she was optimistic that NASS will at the end review the submissions of BSN on the issue positively.
Executive Director/CEO, NRCRI, Professor Chiedozie Egesi said for the past 100 years, the institute has remained at the forefront of agricultural research.
Prof Egesi said researchers at the institute have developed a technology that extends the shelf life of gari for over one year, boosting its potential for storage and export.
“Our market-driven research has directly enhanced the development of value-added products. A prime example is our technology that significantly extends the shelf life of gari for over one year, boosting its potential for storage and export.
“We have the development and release of over 50 improved cassava varieties, 30 yam varieties, 10 potato varieties, 4 sweet potato varieties and 2 ginger varieties, each bred for higher yield, resilience and adaptability.”
The NRCRI boss said the institute was not only directly involved in combating food insecurity, but also in poverty alleviation and wealth creation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Vice Chancellor of Micheal Okpara University, Umudike (MOUAU), Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, represented by Prof Nneoma Obasi said the place of agriculture in Nigeria today depends on positive handling of biotechnology.
While commending Biotechnology scholars for their efforts in solving agric problems in the country, he urged them to ensure that research works translate into real outcome.
Professor Nwadiuto Esiobu of the department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, USA, was the keynote speaker and she spoke on the theme for the year’s conference “Innovative Biotechnology for National Growth: Pathways to food security, health and environmental sustainability”.
Other lead speakers include Professors Anthony Okoh, Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji, Mirabeau Youtchou Tatfeng, Dr. Ranjana Bhattacharjee and Francis Onyekachi.
