LAGOS HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS, THREATS OF SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY, EMERGING BIOTECHNOLOGIES
…as 9th African Conference on One Health, Biosecurity Commences in Lagos
The Radisson Blu Anchorage, Victoria Island, Lagos, became the epicentre of discussions as the 9th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity commenced today. The event was inaugurated by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, alongside esteemed partners from the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment (GET) Consortium.
The annual conference, a testament to a commitment spanning nine years, was born from the exigencies of the 2014 and 2015 Ebola outbreaks. Recognising the interconnectedness of health across African mega-cities, Lagos State has been at the forefront, steering this pivotal gathering to foster awareness and address trends in biosafety and biosecurity across the region.
This year’s focus is on the intricate realm of synthetic biology – a rapidly evolving field with transformative potential.
In his opening remarks, Professor Abayomi emphasised the dual nature of synthetic biology and other emerging biotechnologies, showcasing both its promising benefits for humanity and its potential for misuse, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and regulation.
In his words, “We are here today, at the 9th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity which the Ministry of Health is organising in partnership with the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment (GET) Consortium. We have this conference every year.
We have had it for the last nine years, triggered by the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and 2015, and we found it necessary to keep the culture of having this annual conference, to bring awareness of the trends around biosafety and biosecurity to the people of Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa and Africa as a whole.
“Lagos State has been driving this annual event because, as a mega city on the continent of Africa, we recognize that it’s our responsibility not only to protect the citizens of this great centre of excellence, but also we cannot protect ourselves in isolation, and that if other megacities around West Africa and Africa fall in prey to biological shocks, it will inevitably affect us also in Lagos.
“So Lagos is teaming up with the Get Consortium, which is a think tank based in Africa. Its function is to prepare Africans for biological shocks, and this collaboration has been very fruitful for the past nine years.
“The thematic subject matter of this 9th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity, “Maximising Benefits and Understanding Risks of Synthetic Biology and Other Emerging Biotechnologies in Africa”, is very interesting, especially at this critical time. Synthetic biology is a very complex field. It is a very dramatic and rapidly evolving scientific field where scientists now can change and alter the genetic code of any living organism and have the ability to create new life forms.