Above: San Children in Andriesvaal, Kalahari, South Africa (by Migail de Klerk).
Exporting unethical practices to low- and middle-income countries has become the new face of exploitative research, writes Doris Schroeder
The Biologist 66(3) p22-25
Bioscientists and biomedical scientists rely heavily on external resources to do their research
. While philosophers can publish groundbreaking research after a quiet stay in a mountain hut, bioscientists generally need access to research participants, genetic samples, microorganisms and experimental animals, to name just a few resources. This means that bioscience is often the focus of debates in research ethics.
Nazi medical experiments and the Tuskegee trials in the US, where black men with syphilis were denied treatment to see how the disease progresses naturally, are examples of horrendously exploitative biomedical research.
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IMAGE: The suitcase laboratory has already been used successfully for other infectious diseases in Africa. view more
Credit: Dr Ahmed Abd El Wahed
The PCR test is the most accurate tool to identify SARS-CoV-2. However, valid results are often available only after days. Moreover, the laboratory must be well equipped, have trained personnel and sufficient financial resources. All of this is usually a problem in Africa. A portable suitcase could help. In cooperation with several African universities, scientists at Leipzig University have found that this mini-laboratory provides test results that are almost as good as a PCR test - and almost in real time. The researchers have now published their findings in the journal
04 Feb 2021 | News
Viewpoint: Lessons from Operation Warp Speed can help overcome EU vaccines crisis
As the problem of COVID-19 vaccines supplies so potently illustrates, it is time to rethink the EU’s pandemic preparedness strategy. More support is needed for late stage clinical development and large scale manufacturing
Michel Goldman, former executive director of the EU Innovative Medicines Initiative and professor emeritus at the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Despite European Medicines Agency approval of three COVID-19 vaccines and the hundreds of millions of doses procured through advance purchase agreements negotiated by the European Commission, member states are facing a shortage of vaccine supplies and falling behind Israel, the UK and the US in terms of vaccines coverage.
SARS-CoV-2 evolution and vaccines: cause for concern? thelancet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thelancet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Bockarie has been involved in the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) for over 30 years while Karutu has extensive experience designing and leading large-scale public health programs. x
Bockarie holds MSc and PhD degrees from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom for his research on NTDs and malaria transmission research in Sierra Leone, the Gambia, and Mali. He also undertook postdoctoral studies on NTDs in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the United States.
Bockarie serves as the Regional Director for Africa for the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), where he is also the legal representative of the organisation in South Africa. In his new capacity as a board member, Professor Bockarie will play a crucial role in fostering innovative technical approaches to ending NTDs, as well as exploring newer funding streams for NTD programs.