It is with deep sadness that the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) expresses its condolences to the passing of Professor Beyene Petros, a distinguished biologist, educator, and champion of bioethics, who passed away on 17th Sept 2024. Prof. Beyene was a prominent figure in Ethiopia’s scientific and academic communities, widely respected for his significant work in immuno-parasitology, tropical infectious diseases, public health, education in Ethiopia and his tireless advocacy for ethical research practices in Africa. He was involved in various research and policy-making efforts related to tropical diseases and public health challenges in Africa. His academic and political roles made him a prominent figure in shaping the research landscape in Ethiopia.
Over the decades, Prof. Beyene pursued a life of knowledge, discovery, and service to Ethiopia. Throughout his distinguished career, Prof. Beyene held numerous academic and leadership positions, where he also mentored and inspired generations of students and researchers. To mention a few senior scientists and researchers, whom he collaborated at AHRI include: Prof. Sven Britton, Dr. Hana Akuffo, Dr. Abraham Aseffa, Dr. Daniel Elias, Dr. Wude Mihret, Dr. Markos Abebe, Dr. Liya Wassie and Dr. Rawliegh Howe. Until his passing, he continued to supervise and positively impact the research works and academic journey of several postgraduate students, who have been affiliated to the Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology of Addis Ababa University and AHRI; to mention a few: Dr. Nigatu Tuasha, Dr. Melaku Adal, Dr. Makka Adam, Alem Alemayehu, Mahlet Lemma and Elifaged Hailemeskel. These significant contributions in research and education garnered him numerous scientific publications (over 97 already indexed on Pubmed) and citations.
His leadership also extended beyond the University, having been involved in several national and international scientific and policy-making bodies dedicated to improving public health outcomes in Africa. His expertise and dedication earned him recognition on the global stage, where he played a crucial role in shaping bioethical standards for biomedical research across Africa. AHRI, one of the leading biomedical and health research institutes in Ethiopia, had strong ties and collaborations with Prof. Beyene, through postgraduate student mentorship, developing mentorship guidelines and bioethics research capacity building in Ethiopia. While AHRI hosted secretariats for both Pan-African Bioethics Initiative (PABIN) and the Ethiopian Bioethics Initiative (ETBIN) in the past, Prof. Petros was pivotal and one of the founding and significant contributors in the establishments of these initiatives, to promote and advocate research integrity and ethical research practices in the region.
Prof. Beyene was active in regional and global bioethics discussions, participating in conferences, workshops, and initiatives aimed at strengthening bioethical standards in Africa, addressing issues such as the ethical conduct of clinical trials in low-resource settings and the ethical implications of emerging health technologies. Prof. Beyene was also instrumental in the establishment of ethical guidelines for conducting research in Ethiopia and other African countries, ensuring that human dignity and justice were at the forefront of scientific endeavors. His contribution in ethics was also instrumental in creating and promoting bioethical standards to ensure protection of human subjects involved in biomedical research. His work also helped to address the unique ethical challenges faced by African researchers, such as the need for informed consent, balancing traditional beliefs with modern medicine, and managing resource limitations.
Prof. Beyene also championed the ethical principle of justice in healthcare, emphasizing equitable access to health services and treatment, particularly for marginalized populations. His advocacy in this area reflects a commitment to fairness and the ethical distribution of health resources in the Country. His work was critical in the formation of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in Ethiopia, helping to create an ethical framework that continues to guide research across the region today and further ensuring research adheres to international standards, while being sensitive to local cultural contexts. Through the ETBIN initiative, he also contributed to capacity building in bioethics by supporting educational initiatives aimed at training researchers, clinicians, and policymakers on ethical issues related to medical research and healthcare. Through his leadership in bioethics, Prof. Beyene greatly influenced the ethical landscape of biomedical research and public health in Ethiopia and across Africa, ensuring that research is conducted in a way that respects both scientific rigor and the moral responsibilities of researchers.
Beyond his scientific and academic contributions, Prof. Beyene was a public servant with a deep commitment to the welfare of the Ethiopian people. He served as a member of parliament and was an advocate to communities for equitable healthcare, education, and resources. His legacy in both politics and science reflected his unwavering belief in the power of knowledge to uplift communities and improve lives.
The AHRI community will continue to honor his life’s work. Prof. Beyene’s passing would be an impactful loss to the scientific and academic community, both in Ethiopia and globally. His wisdom, compassion, and intellectual rigor will continue to inspire future generations, as his legacy lives on in the many lives he touched.
May his soul rest in peace.