WHO bats for passing on genomics tech to developing world

WHO bats for passing on genomics tech to developing world

Subject: Science and Technology

Section:

Context:

• The field of genomics uses biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology methods to understand and use biological information in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
• This information benefits medicine and public health — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic — as well as agriculture, biological research and more.
• Genomics can make enormous contributions to human health, from surveying populations for infectious agents — such as the virus that causes COVID-19 — to predicting and treating a wide variety of diseases, such as cancers and developmental disorders.
• Thus WHO said that shortfalls in financing, laboratory infrastructure, materials and highly trained personnel need to be addressed to expand access to genomic technologies.
• Tools, like tiered pricing, sharing of intellectual property rights for low-cost versions and cross-subsidisation can be used to make genomic technologies more affordable.
• However, there are concerns which need to be addressed first, these are- Advocacy, implementation, collaboration and associated ethical, legal and social issues. 
• The report also recommended WHO create a Genomics Committee to take forward the recommendations and monitor their applications.
• The report followed WHO’s 10-year strategy for genomic surveillance of pathogens. 
• Genomic surveillance has played a crucial role in the global COVID-19 response, with countries like South Africa able to make essential contributions in detecting variants due to their capacities in this area.