SciDev.Net

Moves to introduce biotechnology to Africa must consider the needs and values of local people, argues socioeconomist Wilhemina Quaye.

Helping farm labourers access new technologies and knowledge should be a priority for policymakers, argues innovation expert Anil Gupta.

Biodiversity negotiations will greatly impact academics, and scientists must speak up before it is too late, warn Sikina Jinnah and Stefan Jungcurt.

Two centuries ago the Ottoman rulers of Turkey adopted technology, management and methods of learning from Europe. That experience has lessons for today's developing countries, says Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

Traditional healers can help deliver key health services in Ghana, argues Kofi Akosah-Sarpong.

More should be done to strengthen ties between formal scientific research and informal grassroots innovations, says Anil Gupta.

Ehsan Masood argues that saving rare languages could help efforts to protect and sustainably use biological resources.

SciDev.Net readers debate ways for Africa to benefit from research that makes use of its natural resources.

A call for Africa to reject 'enslaving' Western technologies has provoked diverse reactions across the continent and beyond.

Kazhila Chinsembu says Africa risks being 'enslaved' by technology it doesn't own and urges African nations to regain control over their biological resources and indigenous knowledge.

Alejandro Argumedo explains the importance of indigenous knowledge, and says the debate over its use needs to be changed.

Malegapuru Makgoba says that the emerging market for a traditional South African vegetable demonstrates that science and indigenous knowledge can combine to contribute to national development.

Tianhan Xue and Rustum Roy argue that traditional Chinese medicine texts can provide hints to effective remedies for specific diseases.

William Critchley and Kithinji Mutunga say that programmes supporting innovation by small farmers have much to offer, but warn that such programmes should not try to accomplish too much too quickly.

Martin Khor argues that a major effort is needed to prevent intellectual property rules from undermining the indigenous knowledge that is essential for sustainable development.

Joshua Rosenthal argues that the termination of a US research project of indigenous plants in Mexico may reduce scientists' ability to develop sustainable uses of biodiversity for local and global benefit.