Capacity-building in human genetics for developing countries: initiatives and perspectives in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Background: Stakeholders who are committed to bridge the gap in genetics services need to be aware of current initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We reviewed selected experiences from African geneticists that led to specific recommendations.

Results: The initiation of prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anaemia founded the first medical genetic service in Cameroon. There remains a need for international collaborative effort to overcome the lack of human, technical and financial resources around the practice of medical genetics in Africa. The African Society of Human Genetics, Wellcome Trust and NIH have recently proposed a model on how to fully engage Africa in genomics. It includes a 'Health and disease' phase I: use of the case-control design to study genetic and epidemiological determinants of 7 important diseases in Africa, and a 'Genetic variation' phase II: comprehensive documentation of genetic variations in 100 carefully selected ethnic groups across Africa. The strategy would require the development of: (1) clinical phenotyping centres, (2) molecular phenotyping centres, (3) genotyping and sequencing capability, (4) data centres, and (5) a bio-repository in Africa.

Conclusions: Governments and international health agencies need to recognise that genetics is important to the global medical community. The initiatives of African geneticists need advocacy and encouragement from the international community.