SciDev.Net

Translating genetics research is easier in agriculture than medicine, says a Nature Genetics editorial, and existing technologies can be used.

Tewolde Egziabher and other SciDev.Net readers join the debate on the relevance of the UN biodiversity convention's Cartagena Protocol on genetically modified organisms.

Peter Raven and colleagues argue that it is time to sequence the genome of cassava, a crop vital to the health and livelihoods of half a billion people.

David Weatherall says that pharmacogenetics — or tailor-made medicine — could be the future, but needs to be evaluated carefully before we depart from traditional diagnostic techniques.

Wilmot James argues that South Africa could take part in high-level biological research — as long its government provides promised funding.

Although easy access to scientific information can pose security risks, the benefits of such openness far outweigh any potential danger, argues this editorial in The Lancet.

Kannan Sivaprakasam argues why India should not let the genomics revolution pass it by, and explains how the nation stands to gain from actively encouraging investment in genomics.

David J. Weatherall urges genomic technologists to take a global view of disease — or risk widening the North-South healthcare gap.

José Luis Ramírez and David Holmes argue that countries in Latin America must develop close collaboration in genomics and proteomics if they are to reap the benefits that these new disciplines offer.

Ala' Alwan and Bernadette Modell argue that most developing nations urgently need to incorporate genetic approaches such as DNA diagnosis into their health services.

A Nature editorial argues that a global post-genomics research effort to combat malaria could deliver far-reaching solutions.

Jerome Singh and Peter Singer argue that supporting developing world scientists may be the best way to prevent bioweapons attacks against the United States.

The application of genomics to diseases affecting developing nations may have huge medical and economic benefits, and might even prevent armed conflict, say Samuel Broder et al.

Claire Fraser argues that international cooperation on sequencing projects is already creating a new paradigm for North-South collaboration in scientific research in the interests of development.

Johnjoe McFadden argues that genetically modified crops are of crucial significance to developing countries, and should not be undermined by western lobbyists.

Donald Kennedy argues that the lives of hundreds of millions of people worldwide who depend on rice could be improved as a result of the publication of the rice genome.

Peter A. Singer and Abdullah S. Daar argue that genome-related biotechnology should be used to improve health in developing countries.