Genetics in the developing world

Abstract

As a geneticist from the developing world, I feel highly honoured, and consider it a rare privilege, to be allowed to address this distinguished gathering of scientists from all continents of the globe. I come from Africa, a developing world and a vast continent of untapped human and material resources. It has been estimated that one tenth of the world's population lives in Africa, which encompasses one fifth of the world's land area. With over 17 million square kilometres, it is larger than all of North America and Europe. Partly because of its low population density and its abundance of material resources, Africa is considered by many as the last hope for global development. Genetics, like all science in Africa, is in its infancy. Universities and research institutions are few. Most of these advanced institutions were established in certain African countries after independence in the 1960s. Scientific journals are few and undersubscribed. A new era of genetic awareness was made possible by the personal effort of the late Professor M. Imam who, for many years, encouraged African scientists to interact internationally. The first noteworthy opportunity for Africaps to participate on a global scale was made available by Professor M. S. Swaminathan and his colleagues at the XVth International Congress of Genetics in New Delhi, in 1983. On that occasion, together with the efforts of Sir Otto H. Frankel of Canberra, Australia, Africans and scientists from other developing countries were fully integrated into the international genetics community. This trend was sustained by the personal efforts of Professor R. H. Haynes and the other members of the executive committee who organized this XVIth International Congress of Genetics. The Toronto group made funds available specifically to scientists from developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, for which we are grateful. Special thanks are due to the Canadian International Development Agency for the large sum of money that made it possible for many scientists from developing countries to attend, to present papers, and to join in discussions of the latest research developments in this important and exciting field. The new era of genetics in developing countries will be followed by numerous regional conferences in the different continents involved. Arrangements are underway to hold several regional meetings before the 1993 Congress in Birmingham, England. The first of these meetings is now being planned in Sudan, Africa, for August 1989. In closing, I wish to thank all the members of the local organizing committee: L. Siminovitch, D. B. Walden, A. Nasim, J. W. Drake, K. J. Kasha, R. B. Church, J. D. Friesen, J. A. Heddle, L. Forget, and D. Ruest for their marvellous and untiring efforts in making a huge success of this global Congress. Finally, I want to thank President R. H. Haynes for his personal approach that undoubtedly provided glamour to the international nature of the Congress. Thank you and safe journeys to your respective countries. God bless.