By Pascal Ibe
Claim
An X user, Alex Onyia claimed that GMOs are seen as terrorism in Russia.
Verdict
This claim is FALSE. While Russia has a strict stance on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), largely banning their cultivation and breeding for commercial purposes, and imposing significant restrictions on their import, these actions are regulated by specific laws about genetic engineering and agriculture, not terrorism.
Full Text
The adoption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria has been met with significant criticism and controversy. While proponents, including government agencies and some scientists, advocate for GMOs as a solution to food insecurity, increased yields, and pest resistance, a robust opposition, primarily from civil society organizations, environmental activists, and some farmers and scientists, raises numerous concerns.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering technology.
Many Nigerians feared for the potential long-term health effects of consuming GMOs. They argue that insufficient independent, long-term studies have been conducted on the impact of genetically modified foods on human health. Concerns include potential links to allergies, antibiotic resistance, organ damage (kidney and liver abnormalities), hormonal disturbances, immune responses, and even cancer.
Lashing out at a supporter of GMOs in Nigeria, an X user, Alex Onyia said GMOs are heavily restricted and tightly regulated in the European Union and Japan.
He also claimed that in Russia, it’s seen as terrorism.
His post reads further, “Then, one Chinonso who attended a Nigerian university with outdated lab equipments is defended it.
“GMO should be banned or tightly regulated in Nigeria.
The post has already garnered 277k views with more than 2k reposts and over 6k likes, according to X analytics.
Verification
FACTWATCH Nigeria searched thoroughly and discovered that an amended law by the Russian Federation didn’t regard the use of GMOs as an act of terrorism.
On June 29, 2016, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly (the upper chamber of the legislature) adopted the Federal Law on Amending Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation regarding Improvement of State Control in the Field of Genetic Engineering.
The new Law imposes a ban on foodstuffs produced using genetically modified plants or animals. As stated in the new Law, the legislation “strengthens measures aimed at monitoring of all types of activities associated with GMOs, preventing release of GMOs into the environment, and ameliorating the consequences if such a release occurs.” (Law, art. 1(1).) Among the federal laws amended by the new Law are the Law on Seed Production and the Environmental Protection Law. Provisions prohibiting “any use of seeds derived from through genetic modification, including those that cannot reproduce or transfer inherited genetic material,” and “reproduction of animals whose genetic program has been changed by using genetic engineering methods” were added to these acts. The only exception is made for experimental research work. (Id. arts. 2 & 3.)
Registration of GMOs
New registration procedures for genetically engineered or modified organisms and the issuance of permits for work in this field are established by the new Law. Violations of the newly introduced prohibitions will be punished with increased fines; federal and local officials of the agencies in charge of monitoring activities related to GMOs have the right to issue these fines. (Id. Art. 4.)
The law outlines financial penalties for violations:
Individuals: 10,000 to 50,000 rubles (approximately €80 to €430)
Legal entities: 100,000 to 500,000 rubles (approximately €850 to €4,270)
The new restrictions extend to imported products and the Law provides for new registration requirements and procedures applicable to importers as well. Import of genetically modified organisms and products containing GMOs is not prohibited, but is subject to registration with the federal government. The Law expands the right of the executive government to prohibit the importing of GMOs and products containing GMOs into Russia because of the potential harmful impact of such products on humans or the environment. (Legislative Information, supra.)
Read more of this here with a report from Russian news outlet corroborating this here.
Russia’s Definition of Terrorism
Russian Law defines the concept of terrorism as “ideology of violence and the practice of influencing the adoption of a decision by state power bodies, local self-government bodies or international organizations connected with intimidation of the population and (or) other forms of unlawful violent actions” (Article 3). The same article lists the activities that shall be deemed as terrorist and counterterrorism.
Conclusion
Are GMOs highly regulated by the Russian government? Yes. Are they seen as terrorism? No
