Stakeholders brainstorm on better ways to report gene technologies 

Stakeholders and science journalists in West African countries converged in Abuja to brainstorm and exchange ideas, as well as deliberate on the challenges and opportunities of genetic bio-control technologies.

The workshop, organised by Biotechnology African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium is a platform for interaction among experts and institutions to enhance opportunities for technical capacity strengthening, knowledge exchange and deliberation of genetic bio-control technologies.

Declaring the workshop open, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency in Nigeria (NBMA), Dr Agnes Asagbra explained that the mission was to advance understanding of genetic bio-control technologies, which are innovations with immense promise for addressing critical challenges such as vector-borne diseases.

Asagbra stated: “As we delve into the complexities of gene drives, synthetic biology, and other emerging biotechnologies, we recognise the need for informed decision-making and robust oversight.”

She also stressed that the aim of the three-day workshop was to strike a balance between harnessing the benefits of the technologies and safeguarding the continent’s ecosystems.

Also, the Project Manager, Population Health Sciences, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Washington, DC, Mr. Alex Sullivan reiterated the organisation’s efforts at supporting scientists and journalists across the Africa continent.

He promised that the organisation would continue to support Africa in training and capacity building for scientists, regulators, communicators, and more, through efforts such as the workshop.

While stressing that workshops play a crucial role in helping experts and journalists to strengthen capacity building, Sullivan said his organisation would continue to support efforts in this regard.

The Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Editors Guild, Rosalia Omungo, said the training would add value and critical knowledge for science reporters to enhance better understanding of science, calling for continuous training to promote quality, accurate and ethical reporting.