JENKINS/DUSAVA AGREE FOR CLOSE COOPERATION
Text of media release from Papua New Guinea Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Undated (March 1996)
Understanding was reached today on the need for close government
and research personnel co-operation in sensitive areas of research
like human blood and viruses where formal frameworks are not
available to set principles and regulations.
The Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade today re-affirmed this
need for a close collaboration between private researchers and
government officials following a long briefing session with Dr.
Carol Jenkins, an American anthropologist with the PNG Medical
Research Institute, who has been undertaking research of the Human
T-Lymphotropic Virus-1 (HTLV-1) of the Hagahai people of Madang
Province.
Secretary Dusava said "the session with Dr. Jenkins was most useful
in that her work has now been put into proper perspective."
"I must say that much better appreciation of the arrangements under
which the research is being carried out has been established."
"It is also clear that this research has been on with the full
consent of the Hagahai people as well as approval from the PNG
Medical Research Institute and for the benefit of this research,
when fully realised, to be shared among all concerned."
During the briefing it was made known that Dr. Jenkins has been
undertaking the research since 1982 in general anthropology, but
with specific emphasis on HTLV-1 in Papua New Guinea with
opportunities for spin-off benefits to the people in rural health
services and education.
Secretary Dusava said "however, it is also apparent that the lack of
appropriate patent law to regulate reserach and ownership of the
results of such research, including viruses in blood, plant and
traditions has made it difficult for the present research
arrangements regarding the Hagahai people to be coordinated locally
and internationally."
Mr. Dusava said a brief on the meeting is now being put together for
the Prime Minister to direct appropriately on what actions should be
taken for approving legal or formal framework for the research of
the type conducted by Dr. Jenkins.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jenkins has a valid research visa and is entitled to
move freely in and out of the country to conduct her research and
other academic interactions with Papua New Guinea and overseas
institutions.
Dr. Jenkins was accompanied to the meeting with Secretary Dusava by
three Hagahai people.
The American Embassy has also provided information regarding Dr.
Jenkins' work in respect of the funding of her research.
signed Gabriel Dusava, Secretary for FA&T