Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genetic Research on Cancer in East Africa

Kato Jumba K.

Faculty of Science and Technology Kampala International University Uganda

                                                                    ABSTRACT
Genetic research on cancer in East Africa holds great potential for advancing understanding of the disease, enabling personalized treatment, and improving outcomes. However, the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) surrounding such research are significant and multifaceted, particularly in the context of East African nations like Uganda and Kenya. Key challenges include ensuring informed consent, addressing privacy concerns, clarifying data ownership, and promoting the equitable sharing of research benefits. The region’s unique socio-economic and cultural landscapes, combined with its limited infrastructure, exacerbate these issues. Furthermore, there are concerns about the exploitation of local populations, particularly in studies conducted by international partners. This review examines these ELSI challenges and provides recommendations for addressing them, ensuring that cancer research in East Africa is conducted ethically, benefits local communities, and leads to improvements in cancer care. Strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, enhancing local research capacity, and fostering equitable partnerships are critical to advancing ethical genetic research in the region.

Keywords: Cancer, Genetic Research, Ethical Implications, Legal Challenges, Social Implications, East Africa.

CITE AS: Kato Jumba K. (2026). Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genetic Research on Cancer in East Africa. IDOSR JOURNAL OF COMPUTER AND APPLIED SCIENCES 11(1):25- 29. https://doi.org/10.59298/JCAS/2026/1112529