A View on Genomic Medicine Activities in Africa: Implications for Policy - PubMed (original) (raw)

doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.769919. eCollection 2022.

Maritha J Kotze 2, Archana Bhaw-Luximon 3, Faisal M Fadlelmola 4, Yasmina J Fakim 5, Yosr Hamdi 6 7, Samar Kamal Kassim 8, Judit Kumuthini 9, Victoria Nembaware 10, Fouzia Radouani 11, Nicki Tiffin 12 13, Nicola Mulder 12 13

Affiliations

A View on Genomic Medicine Activities in Africa: Implications for Policy

C Victor Jongeneel et al. Front Genet. 2022.

Abstract

Genomics policy development involves assessing a wide range of issues extending from specimen collection and data sharing to whether and how to utilize advanced technologies in clinical practice and public health initiatives. A survey was conducted among African scientists and stakeholders with an interest in genomic medicine, seeking to evaluate: 1) Their knowledge and understanding of the field. 2) The institutional environment and infrastructure available to them. 3) The state and awareness of the field in their country. 4) Their perception of potential barriers to implementation of precision medicine. We discuss how the information gathered in the survey could instruct the policies of African institutions seeking to implement precision, and more specifically, genomic medicine approaches in their health care systems in the following areas: 1) Prioritization of infrastructures. 2) Need for translational research. 3) Information dissemination to potential users. 4) Training programs for specialized personnel. 5) Engaging political stakeholders and the public. A checklist with key requirements to assess readiness for implementation of genomic medicine programs is provided to guide the process from scientific discovery to clinical application.

Keywords: Africa; Pathology-supported genomics; capacity development; genomic medicine; infrastructure; precision medicine stakeholders; readiness checklist; translational research.

Copyright © 2022 Jongeneel, Kotze, Bhaw-Luximon, Fadlelmola, Fakim, Hamdi, Kassim, Kumuthini, Nembaware, Radouani, Tiffin and Mulder.

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Conflict of interest statement

MK is a non-executive director and shareholder of Gknowmix (Pty) Ltd., that developed a database resource for research translation under the auspices of the South African Research Council. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1

Map showing the countries from which responses were received, including the total number of respondents within the country (dark orange) and out of these, the number who are currently or planning to implement genomic medicine activities (light orange).

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