Abuja: Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, a scientist at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), has emphasized the need for effective policies to address critical issues such as biosafety, intellectual property rights, and public acceptance. In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he highlighted the importance of aligning these policies with the guidelines of the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety and national biosafety laws. Akinbo stressed that science policy should focus on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of public investment in research.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Akinbo underscored the dynamic interaction between policy, science, and practice within the policy landscape for genome editing. This triangle ensures that technology development aligns with societal needs and ethical considerations. He pointed out the crucial role that regulatory frameworks play at global and continental levels in the safe and ethical application of genome editing.
NAN reports that genome editing is a technique used to make specific changes to the DNA of cells or organisms. As the Technical Lead of the Genome Editing Initiative at the AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation, Akinbo emphasized the importance of collaboration between researchers and policymakers to ensure that scientific advancements align with policy objectives. He noted that CRISPR, a revolutionary gene-editing technology, allows scientists to precisely target and modify specific DNA sequences, with potential applications ranging from treating genetic diseases to improving crops.
Akinbo advocated for pragmatic extension services, education, and training programs to facilitate the adoption and economic impact of genome editing technologies in Africa. He highlighted the necessity of equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills required for these technologies. Public awareness campaigns, he noted, are essential for building trust and acceptance among the public.
He further noted that continental and global development frameworks, such as Agenda 2030, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Agenda 2063 of “The Africa We Want,” recognize the urgent need to eradicate hunger. Specifically, SDG Goal 2 aims to eliminate hunger, ensure food security, enhance nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Parallelly, goal six of aspiration one of Agenda 2063 emphasizes modernizing agriculture to achieve higher productivity and production levels.
Akinbo pointed out that the 10-Year Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) prioritizes utilizing science, technology, and innovation to eliminate hunger and achieve food security. Within this context, Genome Editing (GEd) presents an opportunity to boost agricultural output in Africa and address food insecurity.
In 2022, the African Union High-Level Panel on Emerging Technology (APET) developed the Policy Framework for the applications of GEd in African agriculture. Akinbo stated that member states received guidelines for the technical and safe use of genome editing technology. APET recommended that government regulatory policies evaluate genome-edited products by assessing their resemblance to natural products or conventional breeding techniques, including evaluating products with specific genetic changes such as gene knockouts and deletions. (NAN)