Wafaa M Rashed: Empowering Voices in Genetics and Genomics Advocacy

Wafaa M Rashed, Founder of MicroRNA Childhood Cancer Catalog (M3Cs) and Lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy Ahram Canadian University, shared a post by Elena Lukhere, Clinical Research Nurse at Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, on LinkedIn, adding:

“Empowering Voices in Genetics and Genomics Advocacy.

It fills me with immense pride to read reflections like those shared by Ms. Elena Lukhere from Malawi after completing the Policy Advocacy in Genetics and Genomics course offered by PAPERI. Her experience highlights the transformative impact of understanding the ethical, legal, and social implications of advancements in genetic technologies.

Elena’s insights into the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA) and the ethical dilemmas surrounding CRISPR technology exemplify the critical thinking we aim to inspire in our participants.

By exploring real-world case studies, Elena and her peers delved into the nuances of policy advocacy and its potential to protect individuals and advance public health.

Her emphasis on advocating for genetics and genomics in developing countries is particularly noteworthy. Elena’s perspective on how these technologies can revolutionize disease surveillance, pharmacogenomics, agriculture, and economic development reinforces the importance of fostering such advocacy globally.

I am deeply grateful to see the ripple effect of this program as participants like Elena become champions for equitable and informed policymaking in their regions.
Let us continue to empower and support bright minds like hers to drive change and innovation for a better future!”

Quoting Elena Lukhere‘s post:

“Excited to share that i completed a course “Policy advocacy in genetics and Genomics” offered by Pan-African PGS education and Research Initiative (PAPERI).

The study of policy advocacy in genetics and genomics has provided me with an understanding of ethical, legal and social implications involved with advancements in genetic technologies. Throughout the course, I have gained understanding of Policy Advocacy” in genetics and genomics which involves efforts to influence public policy and resource allocation decisions. I have got a grasp of some advocacy activities which may include lobbying, public education campaigns, and coalition building.

One of my key takeaways were the case studies for example the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA) which was a focal point in understanding how policy can be used to protect individuals from genetic discrimination. Additionally, this course has shaped my perspective on genetics and genomics by demonstrating the far-reaching implications of genomic technologies for example the case study on using the CRISPR technology in gene editing, emphasized the ethical dilemmas involved in huma genetics.

Amongst other things, the course work also emphasized the need to advocate for genetics and genomics as in developing countries because it offers transformative long-term solutions for public health, for example it has an Impact on disease surveillance and prevention, impact on
drug targeting in pharmacogenomics, impact on agriculture activities, global collaboration and an impact on capacity building and economic development.”