Nigerian government restates commitment to safety in applying modern biotechnology

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has reiterated its commitment to ensure the safety of the public while applying modern biotechnology to boost food security and economic development of citizens.

Dr Rufus Ebegba, Director-General, NBMA, gave the assurance at a meeting to review the National Guidelines of the Regulation of Gene Editing, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ebegba said the NBMA was amended in 2019, to include the application of gene drive, gene editing and synthetic biology and biosecurity which says: ”No person, institution or body shall carry out gene drive, gene editing and synthetic biology except with the approval of the agency,”.

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