As the genomic revolution continues to shape our understanding of the fundamental basis of health and? differential response to drugs, it is imperative to pause and answer two questions:Will all humans benefit from? the advances of genomic led bio-technologies?And will tomorrow's medicine work for all?The Africa Society of? Human Genetics (AfSHG) was formed in 2003 to ensure that Africa is not left out of the genomic? revolution.The society has provided a forum for scientists to interact and exchange information in the field of? genetics and genomics. Previous meetings in Accra, Ghana ? 2003, Washington DC ? 2004, Johannesburg,? South Africa -2005 and Addis Abba, Ethiopia ? 2006, served to advance the fundamental goals of the society? including education, networking, capacity building and research development. Scientists and physicians from? over 15 African countries, several European countries and the Americas attended these meetings. A highlight? of last year's meeting was the announcement of funding by the Wellcome Trust of a project developed by? scientists who met during the annual meeting in 2005 in South Africa. This project ?The genetic basis of? podoconiosis? addresses a common disease which results in severe lower limb deformity, debilitation and? economic loss for affected families. The AfSHG provided the forum that facilitated this collaboration. Other? important projects addressing local Africa problems are been discussed under the umbrella of the society. The? theme of this year?s conference in Cairo, Egypt is ?Genomics Research in Africa: Implications for Disease? Diagnosis, Treatment and Drug Development?. A key event of this year?s conference is a scientific session? devoted to discussing the development of a genomic project that will ensure that tomorrow's medicine and? technology will be relevant to and work for Africans. Our scientific program will include sessions where? international and local scientists will discuss human and medical genetics. Confirmed speakers include? Francis Collins (director, NHGRI), Kari Stefansson (CEO, deCODE), David Goldstein (Duke), Myles Axton? (Editor, Nat. Genetics), Griffin Rogers (Director, NIDDK), Luca Cavalli-Sforza (Stanford), Sir Walter Bodmer? (Oxford), Himla Soodyall (S. Africa), Samia Temtamy (Egypt) & Chouchani L. (Tunisia). This year's meeting is? a joint congress with Egyptian National Society of Human Genetics,consistent with the AfSHG policy of? engaging existing African scientific organizations in genomics.
