China, US clash over AU’s genome data programme

China, US clash over AU’s genome data programme

By John Eche

China and the United States of America, US have clashed over the latter’s decision to support the African Union’s genome data project.

The project which would involve the building of the headquarters of the AU’s Centre for Disease Control, CDC at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

While the Chinese say their gesture of support for the project is borne out of a genuine desire to help the continent deal with its health challenges, the Americans say it is a veiled spying scheme to illegally tap genomic data from the continent.

The African Union hosts its Head of States summit at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this weekend.