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Special Duties

Special duties in biotechnology arise because the field holds the power to influence life, health, and the environment in profound ways. Professionals must act not only as scientists and innovators but also as ethical stewards, ensuring their work contributes to the well-being of individuals, communities, and future generations. These duties form the foundation of public trust, scientific credibility, and sustainable progress in biotechnology.

Special Duties: An Overview

The Special Duties Department of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency is a Department that functions directly under the office of the Director General/CEO. It is a unique Department comprising both Research, Scientific, and Administrative functions, and Officers.

 

Its major mandate is to monitor and implement special programmes, projects and policies of the Agency by conducting impact assessments on various programmes as directed by the Director General/CEO.

Director Special Duties

Dr. ChituWomehoma Princewill

Dr. Chitu Womehoma Princewill is a Research Director and the Director of the Special Duties Department at the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Abuja, Nigeria. She is also the Head of Secretariat of the National Bioethics Committee (NABEC), and the Focal Person for the Nigeria-UNESCO Bioethics.

She holds a Doctor of Science and of medicine Degree in Biomedical Ethics from the Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland, sponsored by the Röm – Kath Pfarramt St. Clara Sozialdienst, Basel, Switzerland. She holds a Master’s Level Certificate in Biosafety from the Institute for Gene Ecology, University of Tromso, Norway, sponsored by the Norwegian Government, a Master’s Degree in Bioethics from the University of Ibadan, sponsored by 

the West African Bioethics Programme, and the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), Forgaty International Center and  the National Human Genome Research, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Biochemistry from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State.

Dr. Princewill is the first to earn a Doctorate in Biomedical Ethics in Nigeria. The first Vice President of the Ethics Technical Working Group for the West African Integrated Vector Management Programme, aimed at eradicating malaria in the West African Region using Gene Drive Technology. The first International Anglophone Rapporteur for the African Regional Bioethics Programme. Notably, she completed her Doctoral studies at the Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland, in a record time of two years and seven months, making her the first African, and second student to achieve this feat at the institution. Her Doctoral thesis on Women’s Autonomy and Reproductive Rights was nominated for the prestigious Emilie Louise Frey-Preis award in 2017 at the University of Basel. Her abstract on the Role of Education, Culture, and Religion in domestic violence against women in Nigeria was shortlisted for the Ehrenreich prize at the 2020 World Congress of Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.

She successfully coordinated the development of the National Bioethics Framework and Policy Documents, and the establishment of a National Bioethics Committee in Nigeria. Her research interests span across ethical issues in various disciplines. She has published several academic papers and attended several international and national conferences. She possess a clear, logical mind with a practical approach to problem-solving and a drive to see work through to completion. Her personal qualities include courage, integrity, honesty, and a goal-oriented mindset.

Special Duties: Who we are

In biotechnology, professionals have responsibilities that go beyond routine scientific or technical work. These special duties arise from the field’s potential to deeply affect human health, the environment, and society. Because biotechnology can manipulate life at a fundamental level, those involved in its development and application have moral, legal, and professional obligations that ensure ethical, responsible, and sustainable practice.

Other responsibilities include:

  • To provide strategic support to the Director General/CEO in achieving the goals, mandate, vision, and objectives of the Agency
  • Facilitate coordination/collaborations with various stakeholders, including Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), Research institutions, and private sector partners, to drive biotechnological advancements in the country as well as provide technical input where necessary
  • To Monitor and evaluate the impact of initiatives and programmes by Departments, BIODECs and Centre of Excellence to identify areas for improvement
  • To monitor and conduct impact assessment, as well as the implementation of special programmes, projects and policies as directed by the Director General/CEO

Focuses on the responsible conduct of research, especially involving human participants. It includes guidelines like the Declaration of Helsinki and the Belmont Report.

Prepare reports on activities of the Agency, offering actionable insights to management as directed by the Director General/CEO

Ensure that all projects and programmes within the Agency adhere to national and international regulations and ethical standards governing research and development.

Bioethics: An Overview

Bioethics is a multidisciplinary field that examines ethical issues emerging from advances in biology, medicine, and technologies that impact life, health, and the environment. It combines principles from philosophy, law, theology, and science to guide decision-making in healthcare, research, and biotechnology. At its core, bioethics addresses questions like: What should we do, just because we can?

The Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights adopted by UNESCO advocates the establishment of independent, multidisciplinary and pluralist ethics committees at national, regional or institutional levels. UNESCO’s role as the international clearing house for ethical issues initiated a project to support the establishment and operation of bioethics committees, the ABC Project (Assisting Bioethics Committees). It is in line with this project that National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) was made the UNESCO Focal Point on Bioethics in Nigeria

Bioethics: Who we are

As the Focal Point for UNESCO Bioethics in Nigeria, NBRDA represents the country in the International Bioethics Committee (IBC) and the Inter-Governmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC).
The functions of the unit is to provide advice on ethical problems relating to research, development and application of scientific knowledge, to formulate recommendations concerning guidelines and legislation, develop tools for standard setting, strengthen co-ordination and contacts among experts and institutions and foster debate, education and public awareness, and engagement in bioethics.

Major Areas of Concentration

Deals with patient care issues such as informed consent, end-of-life decisions, organ transplantation, and the right to refuse treatment.

Focuses on the responsible conduct of research, especially involving human participants. It includes guidelines like the Declaration of Helsinki and the Belmont Report.

Examines issues arising from genetic testing, gene therapy, CRISPR gene editing, and reproductive technologies like IVF and cloning.

Considers how to balance individual rights with the common good, such as during disease outbreaks, vaccination programs, and health policy decisions.

Explores the moral status of animals used in research and the responsibilities we have toward the natural world, particularly in biotechnology and agriculture.