New biotechnology to end malaria: a priority for Norwegian aid?

This event is jointly organised by the Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board (Bioteknologirådet) and the Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting in Health (BCEPS) at the University of Bergen and is part of Arendalsuka 2024.

Arendalsuka is the largest political gathering in Norway, held annually for a week in August since 2012. The event's mission is to strengthen the belief in political empowerment and democracy through open debate and involvement.

Event Description

Mosquito control programs using genetically modified mosquitoes and more efficient malaria vaccines signal a promising trajectory to end malaria. How should these new malaria measures be prioritized? Who should decide – and pay?

The malaria parasite is a significant global threat, with an annual toll of 250 million falling ill and 600,000 dying from the mosquito-borne disease. Djibouti and Uganda are about to initiate mosquito control programs using genetically modified mosquitoes. Additionally, new malaria vaccines being rolled-out in several African countries, including Cameroon and Burkina Faso.

These biotech advancements signal a promising trajectory for global health, with some foreseeing the potential eradication of malaria. However, biotechnology breakthroughs bring new ethical challenges.

The Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board (Bioteknologirådet) and the Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting in Health (BCEPS) at the University of Bergen invite national and international experts to deliberate Norway's role as a global health actor. Is this Norway's opportunity to lead the charge in malaria eradication, or is Norwegian aid funding best allocated elsewhere?

Speakers

• Bjørg Sandkjær, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway
• Marianne Aasen, Head of the Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board
• Ole Frithjof Norheim, Professor and Director, Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting in Health, University of Bergen
• Eirik Mofoss, Executive Director, Langsikt (think tank)
• Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Special Advisor to the Director General, WHO; Professor and Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania; Workstream Lead, Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting in Health, University of Bergen
• Pakwanja D. Twea, PhD Research Fellow, Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting in Health, University of Bergen
• Lumbwe Chola, Associate Professor, University of Oslo; Ghana NCD Project Lead, Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting in Health, University of Bergen
• Eirik Joakim Tranvåg, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board
• Mette Risa, Head of Communications, Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board