A
abujagirl
Guest
Prof. Taiwo Adewole, a professor of Chemical Pathology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has called for a national policy on DNA-based medical diagnosis of diseases in Nigeria.
Adewole made the call in his inaugural lecture in Oshogbo on Sunday.
"DNA in the medical terms is a popular acronym for Deoxyribonucleic Acid, a double-stranded filamentous structure (molecule) found in the nucleus of every cell of higher organisms, including man.
"Every disease is about DNA while DNA is the key to the diagnosis, prognosis (disease outcome) and treatment of diseases, like cancer and malaria,” he said.
He said there was a need for the establishment of DNA laboratories in Nigeria to facilitate forensic analyses and paternity testing.
Adewole said that the limited or non-availability of this type of science and technology locally had continued to frustrate its application in the country.
The professor also urged the authorities in the country to urgently establish genetic testing (molecular diagnosis) in the relevant university departments and teaching hospitals.
"Funds from TETFUND can be justifiably invested in such projects,” he said, and decried the present situation where Nigerian experts depended on carrying samples abroad at great cost. For services, the policy should address which laboratories will be licensed to carry out which tests.
"It should also specify how DNA should be handled, what type of research to carry out, who should handle what and must address issues of confidentiality and privacy.”
Adewole said that the question of how to dispose of waste, some of them toxic or carcinogenic, must also be addressed.
Adewole made the call in his inaugural lecture in Oshogbo on Sunday.
"DNA in the medical terms is a popular acronym for Deoxyribonucleic Acid, a double-stranded filamentous structure (molecule) found in the nucleus of every cell of higher organisms, including man.
"Every disease is about DNA while DNA is the key to the diagnosis, prognosis (disease outcome) and treatment of diseases, like cancer and malaria,” he said.
He said there was a need for the establishment of DNA laboratories in Nigeria to facilitate forensic analyses and paternity testing.
Adewole said that the limited or non-availability of this type of science and technology locally had continued to frustrate its application in the country.
The professor also urged the authorities in the country to urgently establish genetic testing (molecular diagnosis) in the relevant university departments and teaching hospitals.
"Funds from TETFUND can be justifiably invested in such projects,” he said, and decried the present situation where Nigerian experts depended on carrying samples abroad at great cost. For services, the policy should address which laboratories will be licensed to carry out which tests.
"It should also specify how DNA should be handled, what type of research to carry out, who should handle what and must address issues of confidentiality and privacy.”
Adewole said that the question of how to dispose of waste, some of them toxic or carcinogenic, must also be addressed.