Lagos State government has canvassed the attention of stakeholders, and policymakers to the benefits and threats of synthetic biology and emerging biotechnologies.
Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, made this known recently at the ninth African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity, alongside esteemed partners from the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment (GET) Consortium.
Aayomi noted that the yearly conference, a testament to a commitment spanning nine years, was born from the exigencies of the 2014 and 2015 Ebola outbreaks.
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Abayomi said recognising the interconnectedness of health across African mega-cities, Lagos State has been at the forefront, steering this pivotal gathering to foster awareness and address trends in biosafety and biosecurity across the region.
He said this year’s focus zeroes in on the intricate realm of synthetic biology— a rapidly evolving field with transformative potential.
Abayomi emphasised the dual nature of synthetic biology and other emerging biotechnologies, showcasing both its promising benefits for humanity and its potential for misuse, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and regulation.
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In his words: “We are here today, at the ninth African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity which the Ministry of Health is organising in partnership with the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment (GET) Consortium. We have this conference every year. We have had it for the last nine years, triggered by the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and 2015, and we found it necessary to keep the culture of having this annual conference, to bring awareness on the trends around biosafety and biosecurity to the people of Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa and Africa as a whole.
“Lagos State has been driving this annual event because, as a mega city on the continent of Africa, we recognize that it’s our responsibility not only to protect the citizens of this great center of excellence, but also we cannot protect ourselves in isolation, and that if other mega cities around West Africa and Africa fall in prey to biological shocks, it will inevitably affect us also in Lagos.”
