Africa Genome Initiative - phase 2, Cairo Conference

The sequencing of the human genome has enormous implications for Africa in medicine, law, history and sociology, and in shifting Africa's location away from the periphery of modern scientific and cultural development. There is now little doubt that Africa is the cradle of humankind and that the world's population scattered the globe from African origins. There is also little doubt that significant scientific advances will soon be made in the fight against malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia and HIV/AIDS. These are almost certain to be achieved as a consequence of our understanding of the human genome and will inevitably have a huge impact on African people. It is also likely to throw new light on human kind's capacity to shape its environment.

But Africa has been left behind before. It is vital, this time round, that the world remembers Africa as it sets out on this epic journey of discovery. It is also crucial that Africa's scientists, thinkers and ordinary citizens are not just kept abreast, but take a full part in the project. In fact, Africa has already performed a key role in the human genome intiative. South African geneticist Sydney Brenner won the Nobel Prize for Medicine last year for his work in genomics. World-renowned South African scientist Dr Himla Soodyall recently briefed the South African Cabinet about her discoveries concerning human migration patterns based on the tracking of mitochondrial DNA.