Genome research, if we handle it correctly, can change the world for all health care

Gro Harlem Brundtland, WHO Director-General

Sir David told BBC News Online: "There are some exciting examples of collaboration between the developed and developing countries in the application of this kind of technology already."

He cited work in Latin America, where diagnosis of dengue fever and leishmaniasis, two disease which are pandemic in the area, has been improved using techniques used in DNA research.

Cuba has developed a meningitis B vaccine through genetic research, which is being tested internationally.

And trials have begun in Kenya and the UK of a DNA-based Aids vaccine designed specifically for Africa.

Vaccines

Sir David said genetic research could also be used to tackle "Western" diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which are affecting many poorer countries as they develop.

He said: "The only way forward is to try to have partnerships between Western pharmaceutical industries and developing countries.

"The only way of doing this is by somehow making it at least semi-attractive to the pharmaceutical industry."

The WHO report strongly backs a recommendation from the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health calling for a Global Health Research Fund to be started up with $1.5billion which any country could access.

The WHO argues an extra $1.5 billion should be made available to institutions working on developing drugs and vaccines for HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.

It recommends the WHO should help countries set up genetic research centres and programmes.

It also looked at the ethical considerations crucial in genetic research, such as concerns over how information kept on databases could be used.

Responsibilities

Sir David said: "This report anticipates how the global community could use genetics to attack the unfinished agenda of infectious diseases such as malaria, TB and HIV/Aids that are still killing so many in the developing world, and eventually the diseases that are crippling the health care systems of all countries, like heart disease, diabetes and cancer."

He added: "The whole thrust if the report is that we will not change medical practice overnight by this new technology.

"However, the long-term possibilities are such that developing countries, as well as developed countries, must prepare themselves for this new technology and carefully explore its possibilities."

Professor Barry Bloom, Dean of Harvard University School of Public Health, who was on the committee which prepared the report, accepted most of the incentives to develop new drugs and vaccines appealed to the markets in the industrialised world.

But he said: "There are enormous opportunities to apply knowledge of the genome to diseases of the poorest people as well, and that we all have a responsibility to help make these opportunities into realities."

Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, WHO Director-General said: "Genome research, if we handle it correctly, can change the world for all health care.

"In particular, it has the potential to allow developing countries to leapfrog decades of medical development and bring their citizens greatly improved care and modern methods in the much more immediate future."