ASSAF Blog » Health Studies

Biosafety and paranoia post-9/11

Phakamile — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:15:28 +0000

Since the bombings of the Twin Towers in the US on September 11, 2001 there has been a great deal of emphasis on safety in different countries. Some countries have stepped-up and strenghtened their safety so as to ensure this doesn’t happen to them. The other issue of biosafety against any form of biorisks has also seen many countries form specialised committees of scientific experts and/or agencies that specialise in dealing with biorisks. Biosafety policies have been implemented by some countries whereas others are still in the process of either developing or implementing them.

Even though these biosafety policies are good and necessary, there also seems to be a degree of paranoia in some countries. Some academic institutions/biotechnology research centers have suffered because of the restrictions imposed by these policies, where, amongst other things, they can’t work with certain pathogens as they are demeed biological risks. Paranoia about biosafety is even evident at airports in certain countries. Despite all this paranoia, many lessons have been learnt regarding good laboratory practice (GLP) and ethical issues surrounding biosafety. As the saying goes: it’s better to be safe than sorry!

The state of HIV/AIDS clinical trials in South Africa

Phakamile — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:11:10 +0000

Clinical trials in South Africa are taking place almost in every province and majority of them are HIV/AIDS -related because of its high prevalence in the country. The good thing about this is that the communities in which these trial are carried out get to benefit by the level of HIV awareness information and education they receive. Through this education and awareness this contributed in the decreasing the level of new HIV infections.

However, the level of acceptance of these clinical trials in these communities is not always smooth sailing. Some of the main issues include: volunteering vs ‘guinea pigs’, re-imbursement and ethical aspects. Some communities, despite being fully informed, regard being reimbursed for volunteering in these trials as a form of coercion to join them. Others regard volunteers of these trials as guinea pigs. To address these issues communities are always reassured through communuty meetings and education.

GMOs in African agriculture

Nthabiseng — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:50:35 +0000

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are said to be opening a door of opportunity for ensuring food security, especially in South Africa and other African countries. On the other hand, skeptics claim that there are numerous challenges and risks associated with the adoption of GMOs. It is against this background that the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), in collaboration with the German Union of Science Academies and National African Science Academies (NASAC) are holding a workshop that will address key issues on GMOs in African agriculture.

The workshop will be held in Pretoria on 17 – 18 September 2009. It will be attended mainly by experts from South Africa and other African countries.

For more information, please contact Dr Nthabiseng Taole at nthabiseng@assaf.org.za or Ms Phakamile Mngadi at Phakamile@assaf.org.za.