The Absence of African DNA in the Global Genome Map Creates Problems in Diagnosing and Treating Disease: Scientists Warn. Here's Why.
medicines for africa (mfa)
A social enterprise with a mission to improve access to medicines of assured quality at prices that patients can afford
1️⃣ Why is African DNA underrepresented in global genomic research?
Answer: African DNA is underrepresented because less than 2% of human genome sequencing worldwide comes from African populations. This is due to historical biases where genomic research has primarily focused on European populations. Additionally, factors such as limited funding, lack of resources, and political challenges in many African countries have hindered large-scale genomic research efforts.
2️⃣Why does this lack of representation in genomic research matter?
Answer: The absence of African genetic data in global research significantly affects the accuracy and effectiveness of diagnosing and treating diseases in African populations. For example, genetic tests developed for European populations may not work for African populations, as they have distinct genetic variations. This gap in research can lead to misdiagnoses, ineffective treatments, and missed opportunities for personalized medicine.
3️⃣How does Africa's genetic diversity differ from other regions of the world?
Answer: Africa is home to the greatest genetic diversity in the world because it is the birthplace of modern humans. Populations within Africa exhibit more genetic variation between them than populations in other continents, such as Europe. This makes African DNA crucial for understanding the full spectrum of human health and disease.
4️⃣What are some real-world consequences of this gap in genomic research?
Answer: A significant consequence of the data gap is that diseases more common in African populations, such as sickle cell anaemia, are not well understood. This lack of data impedes the development of targeted treatments and accurate diagnostics. Furthermore, the genetic causes of conditions like deafness may vary between populations, as demonstrated by Cameroonian researcher Ambroise Wonkam’s experience, where European-based genetic tests did not work for African children.
5️⃣ What steps are being taken to address the lack of African genetic data?
Answer: Initiatives like the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) program are working to bridge the data gap by supporting genomic research in Africa. In addition, new projects in South Africa and Nigeria aim to sequence tens of thousands of genomes. African scientists are also leading these efforts to ensure that data collection is sustainable and benefits local populations, rather than falling into the trap of "helicopter" research, where foreign researchers gather data without contributing long-term value to the local community.
6️⃣ How does the lack of African genomic data affect the development of drugs and treatments?
Answer: The absence of African genomic data slows the global development of treatments and precision medicine. For instance, some drugs, like an anti-cholesterol medication, were developed after studying African populations with unique genetic traits. Without African data, researchers miss the opportunity to understand how different populations respond to treatments, limiting the effectiveness of medical advancements.
7️⃣ What role does local expertise play in changing the landscape of genomic research in Africa?
Answer: Local expertise is crucial for ensuring that African populations are properly represented in genomic research. African scientists, such as Ambroise Wonkam and Michèle Ramsay, are leading the charge by building sequencing centers and pushing for more African-driven research projects. This helps combat the problem of "helicopter" research, ensuring that the data gathered is relevant, ethically collected, and used to directly benefit African communities.
Recommended by LinkedIn
8️⃣ How does genomic research contribute to understanding chronic diseases in Africa?
Answer: Genomic research can play a vital role in understanding how genetic variations influence the development of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and HIV in African populations. For example, research has uncovered genetic factors in some South Africans that enable them to control HIV without medication. This highlights the importance of African genomic data in understanding how genetic mutations interact with environmental factors to affect health outcomes.
9️⃣ Why is it important to collect regional genetic data across Africa?
Answer: It is important to collect regional genetic data because the genetic diversity within Africa is vast. Populations from West Africa have more genetic differences from East Africans than Europeans do from East Africans. As a result, detailed, region-specific data is necessary to ensure that treatments, disease prevention strategies, and genetic tests are effective across the diverse populations of the continent.
🔟 What needs to happen for the representation of African populations in genomic research to improve?
Answer: For African populations to be properly represented in genomic research, there needs to be a significant investment in infrastructure, research funding, and training for local scientists. Additionally, there must be an emphasis on long-term, collaborative projects led by African researchers to ensure sustainability. Ethical considerations, such as community involvement and equitable sharing of benefits, are also critical to build trust and ensure that African communities directly benefit from the research conducted on their genetic data.
Read the Article:
#africa #medicines #vaccines #diagnostics #medicaldevices #health #healthcare #publichealth #pandemic #arvs #qualitymedicines #safemedicines #substandardmedicines #counterfeitedmedicines #diabetes #insulin #ncds #medicinesforafrica #southafrica #zimbabwe #Rwanda #leniashwenda #southafrica #nigeria #senegal #egypt
For the latest insights into international health affairs with a focus on Africa, read Utano Newsletter.
Subscribe to our Newsletter and listen to Utano Podcast on our Youtube channel.
📌Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and like us on Instagram.