Genetic manipulation of metabolic pathways in crops in a highly targeted manner have been made possible through the significant scientific revolution made in the fields of molecular biology and plant genetics during the last quarter of the 20th century. Taking Nigeria’s first genetically modified (GM) food crop, GM Cowpea, for an instance, with a trait capable to ward off the deadly maruca insects, this wouldn’t have been possible using the conventional breeding technique as more than fifteen thousand accessions have been tested before now. Though GM crop varieties with new traits and enhanced characteristics have been produced, in some cases, commercialized throughout the world, they have usually been associated with generally unproven and sentimental concerns over health and environmental safety, which often elevates into political issues. Over the last eight years, a series of new Gene Editing Technologies have become fashionable because they are able to knock-out or modify specific targeted gene sequence. Nigeria is looking ready to take full advantage of this technology in tackling food insecurity and diseases as the Nation’s 8th National Assembly declared a one-day public hearing on “a bill for an act to amend the National Biosafety Management Agency Act 2015, to enlarge the scope of the application and include other evolving aspect of the application of modern biotechnology in Nigeria (Hb. 1578)” on 27th March, 2019 during which the gene editing technology was extensively discussed.
The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa, Nigeria Chapter (OFAB Nigeria) under the auspices of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) in collaboration with Cornell Alliance for Science and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is organizing a 5-day training for effective communication of the gene editing technology and products. Join the move for a food secured Nigeria by becoming a trained Gene Editing (GE) Technology and GE Products Communicator by applying for the 5-day training on Communicating Gene Editing.
Venue: This training shall be hosted at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan Nigeria. This event which is an in-person training is opened only for scientists based in Nigeria. Click here to commence the application process.
Date: The training shall begin from the 2nd of August to the 6th of August, 2021. The first 3 days will be compulsory, after which participants will be able to decide whether or not to proceed for an extra 2 days for practical sessions on writing, videography and granting radio interviews. Click here to begin this application.
Deadline: The deadline for the application is 27th July 2021. Click here to begin this application.
