March 14, 2024, at 16:00 EAT, the Ifakara Health Institute will participate in an informative webinar on Science Communication on Genetic Biocontrol organized by the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium. The session is titled "Techniques of addressing and communicating the uncertainties associated with emerging biotechnologies."

Principal research scientist, Dr. Dickson Lwetoijera, will participate in this discussion, exploring the techniques of addressing and communicating the uncertainties linked with emerging biotechnologies.

The objective is to examine the role of communicators in genetic biocontrol technologies and the impact of communicating genetic biocontrol technologies in Africa, using stories and case studies presented by journalists and scientists from Africa.

Dickson serves as the Director of the Transmission Zero Program at Ifakara. Transmission Zero, a global scientific program led by scientists at the Imperial College London and the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) of Tanzania, in collaboration with the Tanzanian National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), have developed the first transgenic mosquito strain ever in Africa. This strain carries genetic modifications in its genome that will enable scientists in the future to render mosquitoes incapable of transmitting malaria.

This significant scientific breakthrough marks a pivotal milestone in the renewed international efforts to eliminate malaria in Africa. Learn more about Transmission Zero here. 

Dickson will be joined by Gloria Ogbaki, Communication Specialist/Public Expert at the National Biosafety Management Agency, and moderated by Arouna Ouedraogo, Lawyer, Regulatory and Internal Controller at ANB, Burkina Faso.

If you wish to participate, please register via this link: t.ly/Rgi1t.