By JAMES MUYANWA in Arusha TANZANIA –
A GROUP of 20 scientists, science communicators and editors have converged here for a workshop to strengthen capacity in quality and balanced media reporting on genetic bio-control technologies and other science-related issues.
The workshop which has drawn participants from east and southern Africa has been organised by the Kenya-headquartered African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium (AGBC) in partnership with the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO).
The three-day workshop which went underway yesterday will provide an opportunity to scientists, researchers and science communicators to interrogate innovative communication approaches to address gaps in communicating genetic bio-control technologies which include gene drives, gene editing and synthetic biology.
It will explore ways to develop key messages and appreciate the impact of official communication, mainstream and social media in the public exchange of scientific information between scientists, government, the media and citizens.
AGBC head of secretariat, Will Tonui said the overall objective is to build an informed community of communication experts and local leadership that strengthen public engagement through more sensitive, thorough, culturally comprehensible, and therefore ethical consultative processes that may lead to successful public input.
Dr Tonui said the forum will increase the number of people with sufficient knowledge and understanding to be able to communicate genetic biocontrol in the east and southern African region.
“By the end of the Workshop, the participants will learn to: Assess, understand, and apply the basic science concepts as they affect the development and use of Genetic bio-control technologies and their derived products.
“Appreciate access and utilisation of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, benefit sharing mechanism and their implications to Genetic bio-control technologies,” he said.
It is anticipated to help gain an understanding of how biotechnology intersects with globalization, trade, poverty, food security, disease control and environmental sustainability.