"Similar to other biotechnologies, genome editing faces substantial obstacles in Africa. These include regulatory uncertainty, limited access to laboratories, equipment and reagents for molecular biology work, a shortage of trained professionals, and a low rate of returnees among the diaspora. There is also little investment: most countries devote less than 1% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to research and development. The dependency of African institutions on external funding, unequal collaborations with the Global North and control of intellectual property and licensing by foreign entities further hinder progress. Additionally, there are low levels of integration of biotechnology in school and university curricula, inaccurate risk perceptions and apparent low levels of public support (often due to misinformation), and, as a consequence, inadequate political will."
