Law Ethics and the Genome in Africa: Progress and Challenges

<p dir="ltr">Genomics is rapidly reshaping the landscape of public health in Africa, from infectious disease surveillance to the promise of personalised medicine. Yet, while scientific advancements accelerate, the legal and ethical frameworks that should guide them often lag behind. This webinar, <i>Law, Ethics, and the Genome in Africa: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges</i>, explores the pivotal role of law and ethics not as barriers but as enablers of responsible and inclusive genomic research.</p><p dir="ltr">The presentation discussed how informed consent, data protection, ownership, and benefit-sharing shaped the legitimacy and trustworthiness of genomic initiatives, alongside the ethical imperatives of autonomy, justice, equity, and community engagement. Using African case studies, it highlighted persistent gaps in regulation, the weight of historical exploitation, and the cultural complexities of consent and participation. At the same time, it identified emerging opportunities, including capacity-building efforts, African-led governance frameworks, and the co-creation of ethical practices with local communities.</p><p dir="ltr">Ultimately, the session argued that the future of genomic science in Africa depended on embedding law and ethics at every stage of research and policy design. It concluded that only through interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, policymakers, ethicists, lawyers, and communities, could public health genomics drive equitable and sustainable healthcare across the continent.</p>