> Interview with Dr. Ismail Serageldin
Interview with Dr. Ismail Serageldin
“BioVision will present a unique opportunity for the international community to exchange ideas and develop a common vision for a better future of the sick and the poor”
Dr. Ismael Serageldin, Director Library of Alexandria and Chairman BioVisionAlexandria
28/02/2006
-For the benefit of our members, can you tell us what BioVision Alexandria is, and why it is not just another biotechnology event?
“BioVisionAlexandria is an unprecedented event enabling constructive dialogue to take place amongst all stakeholders contributing to the understanding, acceptance and development of Life Sciences. Individual experts from all over the globe, who not only represent virtually all aspects of biotechnology, its applications, and its regulation, but also the many nations of the world as well, will gather to discuss the different topics of BioVisionAlexandria 2006.
The three pillars of Science, Industry and Civil Society and their representatives will meet during the plenary and parallel sessions of BioVisionAlexandria 2006 to voice their social, ethical and economic concerns of the New Life Sciences, and underline the need for alliances, such as the European Action in Global Life Sciences, commonly known as the EFB Task Group on EAGLES, and others.
This venue will commence with a “Nobel Day”, as so successfully done both in BioVisionAlexandria and in BioVision in Lyon in previous years. The Nobel Day will be dedicated to Nobel laureates and will honor the scientists whose vision and perseverance in the quest for scientific innovation changed lives and transformed our world.”
-BioVision Alexandria 2004 focused on Ethics, Patents & the Poor. What is the main focus and goal of BioVision Alexandria 2006?
“Following the World Forum in February 2001, it was decided to widen the participation from developing countries. The Alexandria Conference, then called the Egyptian Biotechnology Conference, was subsequently developed in 2002, focusing on Life Sciences and Sustainable Development, giving priority to concrete actions between the North and South. As a consequence of the Alexandria Conference in 2002, it has been decided to alternate the two conferences, the World Life Sciences Forum BioVision taking place in Lyon every odd year, while the Alexandria Conference would take place in even years and is officially called the BioVisionAlexandria Conference.
BioVisionAlexadria 2006 will be dedicated to the role of the New Life Sciences in Changing Lives. The goal of the conference will be to promote the active exchange of biotechnological information, innovation, and new ideas and to encourage constructive dialogue between key players in the development of Life in order to better meet the challenges facing the 21st century with regard to Life Sciences, a vital step towards development and prosperity and changing people’s lives for the better. It will present a unique opportunity for the international community to exchange ideas and develop a common vision for a better future for the sick and the poor.”
-How can BiovisionAlexandria help the developing world?
“As a forum we bring together scientists from the north and the south; the exchange that happens can bring in new scientific knowledge to the south. Coordination and cooperation within the scientific community is essential for rapid, efficient progress and development. It is through the exchange of ideas, discoveries and policies that effective progress can be achieved. For progress, real progress, is when the deprived, the weak and the marginalized become the producers of their own bounty and welfare, and not just the recipients of charity or the beneficiaries of aid.”
-Why are Life Sciences important for the developing world?
“In a world undergoing profound transformations, globalization, the needs of the poor, the new rules governing international trade, all call into question the directions we must pursue to assure the universal ideals of sharing and benefiting from the enormous advantages offered by the New Life Science revolution since no area in science is moving faster nor will have a greater impact on people’s lives.
The development of BioSciences may have a dramatic impact, and may constitute a unique opportunity for developing countries to move forward. The appropriate use of these technologies, within strict ethical framework, should, at a relatively low cost, transform the living conditions of large populations.
The message launched from our previous conference in 2004 in health care was a cry for Africa and more specifically sub-Saharan Africa that is dying, plagued by many fatal diseases as HIV that affects more than 28 million person, Malaria affecting 270 million person, TB attacking 1.9 million person in addition to Cancer and various parasites. In Africa 90% of HIV positive patients have no access to health care and standard treatments. AIDs accounts for almost 10 million deaths per year the vast majority would be expected to be in Africa, which hosts the largest number of cases. This requires more research efforts towards developing vaccines and cures.”
-What are the greatest challenges facing the 21st century with regard to Life Sciences?
“The wealth of new medical knowledge resulting from discoveries in basic science and the advancement of science in the health and medicine arena, the effective translation of this knowledge into new approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, local health needs, biotechnology for affordable medicines, infectious diseases, aging and the quality of life, affordable treatments for HIV/AIDS in developing countries are all key challenges for the research community.
In addition, issues facing global agriculture: how advances in agriculture have made it possible to grow more and safer food while protecting biodiversity and the environment, and why, despite good global agricultural performance, considerable regional differences still exist, the challenge of producing sufficient food to feed the continuously growing populations, environmental conservation, improving nutrition through biotechnology, genomics and bioinformatics in agribiotechnology and creating novel products from plants.
The role of translational research and the application of basic scientific discoveries into clinically germane findings is as important as scientific research. The challenges of moving from knowledge to health are enormous so are the complex steps separating the basic research done in a laboratory from a new drug or medical technology increase. Contemporary research fields do not necessarily match the needs of developing countries and the market lacks the incentive to spread best practice once a technology has been developed. All these issues present obstacles on the pathway from discovery to delivery. That in addition to trade-related issues, clinical trials and regulation, emerging health biotech industries in the developing world and the delivery of new agricultural products.”
-Why should European biotechnologists attend the event?
“Because of the unique structure of Biovision Alexandria 2006 speakers opportunities for partnership can arise specially north - south partnership as well as public - private partnership.”
-How can Europe benefit from BioVision Alexandria 2006? And from engagement with the developing world?
“Facilitating the development of Life Sciences through re-establishing the necessary dialogue between the North and South will lead to the emergence of concrete actions in the Healthcare and Ag/Food sector that could transform the daily life of millions and I strongly believe that collaboration will contribute to the achievement of shared goals.”
-Along with this important event, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is organizing BioFair.
“As an integral part of this conference, a special exhibition: BioFair@ BioVisionAlexandria 2006 will be featured, for publishers, organizations and industrial companies involved in the field of life sciences and related topics. An extensive range of exhibition and sponsorship options are available. These options range from providing student support or advertising in the Abstract Book to exhibiting products or sponsoring a conference event.
The Sponsorship Program provides an innovative way for corporations to make an impact at the BioVisionAlexandria 2006. Our sponsor benefits maximize corporate visibility and provide unsurpassed exposure to the biotechnology community in addition to establishing new contacts, meeting with strategic partners, researchers and financiers.
We know that all of the above will ensure that exhibitors can fully maximize the opportunity to interact with delegates. We are focused on ensuring our exhibitors and sponsors feel part of, and are fully involved in, the conference.”
-BioVision Alexandria has been held in Alexandria since 2002. Why Egypt?
“Egypt, the centre of the Arab world, along with South Africa are the two pivot countries in Africa which have the research infrastructure and the research competences, in addition to the special venue of the conference at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a vast cultural complex on the shore of the Mediterranean, almost exactly where the old Library of Alexandria once stood. The BA aspires to be a leader in the sustainable development of the region; a promoter of science and technology; a catalyst of reform in the region; an apex for networks and partnerships; and a meeting point for dialogue and understanding between people.”
-Is there a specific message you would like to convey to EFB members?
“The EFB aims to promote international and interdisciplinary cooperation throughout Europe and beyond. BioVisionAlexandria 2006 presents a unique opportunity for EFB members to foster such collaborations. The BioVisionAlexandria 2006 offers a 50% reduction in the registration fees for EFB members to attend the conference to encourage maximum participation from the European biotech community.”
To register, click here: BioVisionAlexandria 2006
Born in Guiza (Egypt) in 1944, Dr. Ismail Serageldin is Director of the Library of Alexandria and chairs the Boards of Directors for each of the BA’s affiliated research institutes and museums. He is Distinguished Professor at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and serves as Chair and Member of a number of advisory committees for academic, research, scientific and international institutions such as the Egyptian Academy of Science, the Third World Academy of Sciences, the Indian National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Dr. Serageldin has also served in a number of capacities at the World Bank, including as Vice President for Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development (1992-1998), and for Special Programs (1998-2000). He has received 18 honorary doctorates, and published over 50 books and monographs, and over 200 papers on a variety of topics including biotechnology, rural development, sustainability, and the value of science to society.