Ethical and Socioeconomic Considerations in the Biotechnology Debate in Africa
Biosafety Communication as A Consensus Building Tool
Keywords:
Biotechnology Debate, Ethics, Socio-economy, Biosafety Communication, Consensus BuildingAbstract
A great deal of international financial and technical support has been provided to Africa to build the capacity of the continent to harness science, technology and innovation opportunities to address critical challenges like food insecurity and malnutrition. However, African countries still remain among the most heavily affected globally by food insecurity and malnutrition (Karikari, Quansah, Emmanuel, & Mohamed, 2015; Mbugua-Gitonga, Mwaura, & Thenya; Chambers, et al., 2014; Abah, Ishaq, & Wada, 2010; Makinde, Luke, & Ambali, 2009). Technologies like modern biotech are tools proposed by developed countries, especially the USA, and also emerging countries like China and Brazil, as a possible solution to climate change impacts and food production challenges (Suliman, Elhassan, Ali, & Kamal, 2015; Wambugu, 2014; Rock & Schurman, 2020; Midling, 2011; Scoones, Amanor, Favareto, & Qi, 2016; Cabral & Shankland, 2013; Abdallah, 2014; Schiek, Hareau, Baguma, & Medakker, 2016).
However, despite the great development opportunities offered by biotechnology in the agricultural sector, only a few African states have so far adopted this technology as a production tool. It is believed that this situation is due to the controversy over the safety of the technology, but more importantly, over non-safety aspects such as ethical and socio-economic considerations (SEC). (Juma & Serageldin, 2007; Brooks, 2013; Pixley, et al., 2019; Juma, 2016; Omobowale, Singer, & Daar, 2009).
The contemplated research aims to explore the importance of the ethical and SEC in the biotechnology debate in Africa and the role of the new construct of biosafety communication in addressing these non-safety aspects of the technology. The contemplated research investigates the role of the biosafety communication approach in relation with the often-ignored facets of ethical and SEC in biotechnology. The research will be explored through a triangulated research approach that will review the existing academic and scientific literature and content analysis of existing data, as well as interviews with key stakeholders in selected African countries.
Author Biography
Mr. Jean Kebere, MA, Monarch Business School Switzerland
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Jean Kebere is a Doctor of Social Science Candidate at Monarch Business School Switzerland. He holds a Bachelor and Master degree in Arts and Communications from the University of Ouagadougou in Bukina Faso. He also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Relations and Multimedia Technology from the University of Maryland at College Park, USA. He has completed training in negotiation skills and techniques with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
At present, he holds the position of Regional Communications Officer at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA) in the Dakar Regional Office. Previous to that, he held the position of Communications Officer at AUDA in Burkina Faso, Communication and Media Manager at OXFAM-Burkina Faso as well as Communications Manager at the Christian Children's Fund of Canada. He has also been a volunteer with the American Red Cross.
