The Drumbeat: Africa Bioscience Trends

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31st March 2022

ISSUE NO.50

Welcome to issue 50 of the DrumBeat!

Golden Jubilee Edition

Drumbeat team is proud to mark the 50^th edition of this premier monthly e-newsletter that tells the African bioscience story as it is. We are truly grateful to the over 5,000 royal subscribers comprising of; policy makers, media, development partners, scientists, and private sector players who make our work so fulfilling. We will strive to continue enhancing public understanding and appreciation of biosciences through impactful videos, stories and much more.

In this issue, our video of the month features African experts' views on the framing of genome editing narrative and its implications on Africa's policy and regulatory environment.

In our Story of the Month, Dr. Daniel Osei Ofosu - a research scientist from Ghana shares the plight of farmers and progress scientists in that country are making to find a solution to maruca insect menace on cowpea, a staple diet for most Ghanaians.

Remember to share with a colleague, visit http://africenter.isaaa.org/, subscribe to our YouTube channel for some interesting videos.

Enjoy your reading and stay safe!

VIDEO OF THE MONTH

Shaping Genome Editing Narrative in Africa

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Daniel Osei Ofosu, PhD
Research Scientist

STORY OF THE MONTH

Has the Maruca problem in cowpea been solved?

Hamda sits in front of his hut with chin in his hand. He wonders how he will be able to cater for his family needs as his cowpea farm yields have been declining over the last decade or so. The perennial Maruca infestation continues to worsen and due to poor harvest from previous year, he was only able to afford two sprays for his two acre cowpea farm.

From Our Newsroom

Kenya Publishes Genome Editing Regulations becoming Second African Country to do so

Kenya's National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has published Genome Editing Guidelines, marking an important step towards development of a genome editing regulatory framework in the country. Kenya now becomes the second African country, after Nigeria, to release the guidelines. Read more.

Stakeholders Call for Africanization of Genome Editing in Agriculture

Genome editing stakeholders in Africa have called for africanization of genome editing, an approach which they say will uniquely address agricultural challenges on the continent. They made the appeal during a genome editing communication training held from 17^th - 18^th March 2022 in a hybrid format with in-person attendance in three African countries – Kenya, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Read more