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Wafaa M. Rashed: Celebrating Milestones in Policy Advocacy

Wafaa M. Rashed and David Makoko

Jan 30, 2025, 10:52

Wafaa M. Rashed: Celebrating Milestones in Policy Advocacy

Wafaa M. Rashed, Founder of MicroRNA Childhood Cancer Catalog (M3Cs), shared a post by David Makoko, MEL Officer at Jhpiego, on LinkedIn, adding:

“Celebrating Milestones in Policy Advocacy

I was deeply inspired to read the reflections of David M. following his completion of the Policy Advocacy in Genetics and Genomics course organized by PAPERI. His words resonate with the core vision of this initiative: to equip passionate professionals with the tools to navigate the complex intersection of science, ethics, and policymaking, fostering a future of equitable and responsible policies.

David’s collaboration with Mathew Mlumba on the thought-provoking presentation, ‘Should AI Be Allowed to Predict Genetic Diseases Without Human Oversight?’, is a testament to the course’s mission. Their emphasis on human oversight to address biases, ethical dilemmas, and risks underscores the importance of proactive, informed advocacy in a rapidly evolving field.

I’m particularly honored and humbled by David’s kind words regarding my mentorship. Witnessing his growth and enthusiasm throughout the program has been incredibly rewarding. This reflection reinforces my belief that empowering individuals with knowledge and fostering critical dialogue can drive impactful change.
To all the participants and future advocates: let’s continue working together to shape a future where genetics and genomics serve as tools for equity, inclusivity, and responsibility.”

Quoting David Makoko’s post:

“Completing the Policy Advocacy in Genetics and Genomics course has been a transformative experience. It has deepened my understanding of the intersection of science, ethics, and policymaking while highlighting the importance of equitable and responsible policies in this field.

Collaborating with Mathew Mlumba on the presentation, ‘Should AI Be Allowed to Predict Genetic Diseases Without Human Oversight?’ was a key highlight. We emphasized the need for human oversight to mitigate biases, ethical dilemmas, and risks, aligning with guidance from World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Special thanks to Dr. Wafaa M Rashed, BPharm. MSc., PhD, BCNSP, for her invaluable mentorship, which has inspired me to approach policy advocacy with greater responsibility and awareness.”