Neglected Tropical Diseases: What Next?

Neglected Tropical Diseases and the Post-2015 Global Development Agenda

Part Two: What Next?

By E. Michelle Taylor and James Smith

Given the recent meeting of the high-level panel in London and high profile debate around both the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and what might supersede them, it is significant to reflect that the strides made in Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) control in the first decade of 21st century were made despite the diseases’ effective omission from the MDGs. Does this mean that getting onto the post-2015 agenda is immaterial to the NTDs?

Neglected Tropical Diseases: Jostling for Position

Neglected Tropical Diseases and the Post-2015 Global Development Agenda

Part One: Jostling for Position

By E. Michelle Taylor and James Smith

The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) expire in 2015. Earlier this month, the high-level panel appointed to discuss the global development agenda post-2015, met for the second time in London. The recommendations made by the panel are likely to prove extremely important for determining the global health budget over the coming decade. Who the winners and the losers will be in the new agenda is not yet known, but certain parties will hope that this time around Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) will gain a special mention.

Science & Technology Are Not Enough

Scientific and technological advances of the 21st century hold the promise of making the world a better and more equitable place to live. Scientists are now on the leading edge of finding cures for currently incurable diseases, developing crops that feed more people, and discovering cleaner more efficient energy sources.

A recent article in The Guardian entitled “Genomics revolution: UK could miss the boat, scientist warn” discusses one such future promise of the so-called ‘genomics revolution’ in the form of whole genome sequencing.

The article suggests that the ability to fully map a person’s DNA code is fast becoming as cost effective as current genetic testing. We could soon see the day where sequencing the genome of every new born is as common as the heel prick test, heralding a future where knowledge of our genetic predisposition to disease improves diagnosis and treatment.