Opportunities and Challenges

Bioscience is the study of biological systems. It includes the application of techniques, whether biological or non-biological, to make or modify products or processes and to apply these in biological systems. Bioscience is multidimensional in nature, involving many types of research and innovation. Pharmaceuticals, biologics, bio-agriculture, environmental biotechnology, medical devices, manufacturing and material design are all disciplines that exist under the definition of bioscience.

Biosciences and modern biotechnology in particular, are seen as one of the major engines of growth in the world in fields such as human health, industrial processes and agriculture. This is especially true in the USA, Europe and Japan. Africa lags woefully behind with some notable exceptions such as Egypt, Kenya and South Africa. The two key problems are a lack of sufficient funding from governments and a shortage of skilled expertise. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of private sector activity in the region to support and initiate research and, take up products and processes that are the outcome of projects.

Emerging developments in biosciences offer the promise of a new means to address a number of constraints that are limiting productivity and sustainable development in Africa. These rapidly evolving developments in biosciences are enabling a better understanding of genes, the products they encode for and how these interact in complex pathways within living organisms. In bioscience, this understanding is leading to a better means of manipulating and regulating genes, to develop improved strains of crops and livestock, better diagnostics and more targeted therapeutics and vaccines.

Mobilising the emerging developments in biosciences in Africa requires identifying priority problems and the pathways required for successful technology development and delivery. Success will require more human capacity (scientific and technical), access to appropriate laboratory facilities and equipment for key strategic and applied research, and an enabling environment to allow for the responsible use of bioscience directed at African issues.

The lack of sufficient numbers of trained people, suitable laboratory facilities and specialized equipment and technical expertise are constraining the present use of bioscience to address African problems. The NEPAD African Bioscience Initiative (ABI) is addressing these constraints by making optimal use of presently available human resources and facilities and mobilising public and private responses to address key issues. This involves developing a number of groups (focal points and/or virtual centres) to focus on particular biological issues. These groups will be supported by key laboratories in Africa where scientists can share specialised facilities, equipment and related services such as functional genomics and bioinformatics facilities.