GENOME EDITING IN AFRICA: ISSUES ARISING FROM ETHICS, GOVERNANCE, AND ENGAGEMENT (360G-Wellcome-220706_Z_20_Z)

The purpose of this proposal is to develop an African, Regional interdisciplinary forum on the ethics, governance, engagement and social acceptability of Genome Editing in Africa. In spite of the discussions on Genomics, most African countries are yet to adequately engage in the critical debate on the regulation and ethics of genome editing. It is pertinent to have collaborative partnerships to focus on prudent research-based advocacy, to ensure truly informed policy decision making on gene editing in Africa. The key goals of this proposal is to disseminate the key outcomes of the 2019 GFBR meeting on" Genome Editing for Human Benefit: Ethics, Engagement and Governance", and to develop a proposal to take the outcome of this meeting further so as to begin an African oriented discussion on genome editing from the perspective of Africans. There will also be a research paper to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Also, the focus of this proposal is to have a two-day workshop in Nigeria with key stakeholders from Africa discussing the ethical, governance and engagement issues relevant to Africa in Genome Editing that arose from the Singapore meeting.The meeting will promote collaborations between African Countries on the best practices in Genome Editing