Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, a scientist at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), emphasized the need for effective policies that tackle critical areas such as biosafety, intellectual property rights, and public acceptance.
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In a telephone interview with journalists on Monday, he noted that these issues must be addressed in line with the guidelines of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and existing national biosafety laws.
According to him, science policy is primarily aimed at enhancing the efficiency and impact of public investment in research.
“The policy landscape for genome editing features a dynamic interaction among policy, science, and practice, forming a triangle that ensures technology development aligns with societal needs and ethical considerations.
“At global and continental levels, regulatory frameworks play a crucial role in the safe and ethical application of genome editing,’’ he said.
Genome editing is a technique used to make precise modifications to the DNA of a cell or organism.
Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, who serves as the Technical Lead for the Genome Editing Initiative at the AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation, highlighted the importance of collaboration between scientists and policymakers.
He noted that as advancements in tools like Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and other genome editing technologies progress, it is crucial to strengthen partnerships between researchers and policy actors to ensure scientific breakthroughs align with policy goals.
CRISPR is a groundbreaking gene-editing technology adapted from a natural bacterial defense mechanism. It enables scientists to accurately target and alter specific DNA sequences in living cells and organisms, offering vast potential for applications such as treating genetic disorders and enhancing agricultural productivity.
Prof. Olalekan Akinbo emphasized that, to promote the adoption and economic benefits of genome editing technologies in Africa, there is a pressing need for practical extension services, as well as comprehensive education and training programs to equip farmers with the essential knowledge and skills.
“Furthermore, public awareness campaigns can help build public trust and acceptance.
“The continental and global development frameworks, including Agenda 2030, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 of ″The Africa We Want, ″ recognises the urgent need to eradicate hunger,’’ he said.
He said that specifically, SDG Goal 2, as established by the United Nations in 2015, aimed to eliminate hunger, ensure food security, enhance nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
The scientist said that in parallel, goal six of aspiration one of agenda 2063 emphasised modernisation of agriculture to achieve higher productivity and production levels.
“Additionally, the 10-Year Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) prioritised utilsing science, technology, and innovation to eliminate hunger and achieve food security (STISA).
“Given this context, Genome Editing (GEd) presents a timely opportunity for boosting agricultural output in Africa and address the ongoing issue of food insecurity,’’ he said.
Prof. Olalekan Akinbo stated that in 2022, the African Union High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) developed a Policy Framework to guide the application of genome editing (GEd) in African agriculture.
He explained that the framework provided member states with technical and safety guidelines for the responsible use of genome editing technologies.
Akinbo further noted that APET recommended government regulatory policies be designed to support the evaluation of genome-edited products, particularly by assessing how closely they resemble naturally occurring products or those developed through conventional breeding methods.
This, he said, includes the assessment of genome-edited products involving specific genetic modifications, such as gene knockouts and deletions.