WSI CUBA PROJECT

How Cuba is Tapping Into the Growing Halal Market, and Improving Public Health in the Process

11 December 2007

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is emphasizing a push to make vaccines that conform to religious dietary restrictions in an effort to increase their use and improve public health. Malaysia is spearheading this effort, with one research university already developing a religiously approved vaccine for meningitis B in cooperation with the Finlay Institute, a Cuban biotechnology firm, and GlaxoSmithKline, the giant U.K.- based health care company. The manufacture and certification of a vaccine that conforms to Islamic law is intended to alleviate suspicion over its safety or religious permissibility, and thereby encourage greater application of the vaccine. As more people are vaccinated against this highly contagious disease, it is hoped that the incidence of meningitis B will decrease, thereby improving public health on a global scale. But whats in it for Cuba? The market for products approved by Islamic law is estimated at $560 billion- a nice incentive for the economically struggling island to contribute research funds and intellectual property to the endeavor.

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