Advanced Natural Resources Stewardship and Environmental Advocacy

[HB. 1578]

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 aspects of the application of modern biotechnology in Nigeria with a view to preventing any adverse effect on human health and the environment; and for Related Matters

Sponsored by Hon. Obinna Chidoka

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ENACTED by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as follows:

Amendment of National Biosafety Management Agency Act

1. The National Biosafety Management Agency (in this Act referred to as “the Principal Act”) is amended as follows:

2. Amendment for Section 43

Section 43 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting the following interpretations and re-arranged in alphabetical order accordingly-

“Gene drive” means a genetic engineering technology that can propagate a particular suite of genes throughout a population by adding, deleting, disrupting and modifying genes. Gene drives can only spread from sexually reproducing parents to their offspring.

“Gene editing” means a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of a living organism using scientific techniques.

“Synthetic biology” means a field of study that encompasses the design and engineering of biological components that can be used to construct a variety of biological systems.

Synthetic biology approach in genetic engineering involves the use of re-designed existing principles of engineering molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science to generate a new organism with traits which does not exist in nature. The new genome-editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cast9, ODM, TALENS and ZFM and any other scientifically accepted techniques are sometimes also referred to as synthetic biology techniques and are used interchangeably.

“Biosecurity” means measures to prevent, respond to and recover harmful biological substances or genetically modified organisms that may threaten the health of humans, animals, the environment and the economy.

Citation

3. This Bill may be cited as the National Biosafety Management Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Explanatory Memorandum

This Bill seeks to amend the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, to cause for the enlargement of the scope and application to include Modern Biotechnology in Nigerian with a view to preventing any adverse effect on Human Health and the Environment.