Scientists from research centers in South Africa, Nigeria, Malawi, Uganda, Namibia, Tunisia, and Ghana published a manifesto advocating for more equitable scientific partnerships — “based on mutual respect and shared objectives” — in research into the microbiome, the community of genes of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live in the human body. The document notes that the few studies done on African microbiomes typically involved African scientists as the participants. The authors are calling for fair and collaborative research efforts to explore the microbiomes of African populations and environments. The document presents proposals on equitable research practices, such as ethical considerations, community and government engagement, multidisciplinary collaboration, standardized sample collection and analysis methods, encouraging local scientific leadership, and the use of results to resolve public health problems (Nature Medicine, May 23; EurekAlert!, May 24).
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