Unique considerations for advancing genomic medicine in African populations

Abstract

Genomic medicine presents many opportunities for improved health outcomes in the future. African countries, however, face many challenges in harnessing these opportunities for the benefit of African patients. Unique aspects that fuel these challenges include the enormous genetic diversity found in African individuals and communities across the continent; a high burden of infectious diseases and prioritized commitment of scarce public health resources to primary healthcare; limited economic resources for genomic health research and translation; and a history of the one-way transfer of samples, human resources and research translation off the continent. While these challenges are significant, there are opportunities for African countries to harness the economic and health benefits of genomic medicine for people in Africa. An active and supported biotechnology sector can provide an avenue for translating the benefits of African genomic research to African patients and populations.

Keywords: Africa; biotechnology; ethics; genome diversity; genomic medicine.