When Thursday 12 September 2024, 1.30pm – 3pm (AEST)
Where Online. Link will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.
Registration Registration is free and available here.
The next ELSI Genomics Network seminar will explore recent Australian research into ‘direct-to-consumer’ genetic tests, with presentations from Dr Giselle Newton and Dr Cushla McKinney.
Australian consumers take a lot of so-called ‘direct-to-consumer’ genetic tests. This can be for a variety of reasons, including to investigate our ancestry, our family ties or our health. There has been some research done on Australians’ knowledge of and attitudes towards these tests (e.g. from the Genioz study; 2015-18), and the HGSA has also set out its position in 2019. Additionally, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Association continues to limit the provision of certain kinds of direct-to-consumer tests by onshore/domestic suppliers. But there’s still many unanswered questions, including the use of these tests by people interested in family history or affected by adoption or donor conception, and how their uptake is impacting professions like genetic counselling.
At the September 2024 ELSI Genomics Network Seminar, we’ll be joined by Dr Giselle Newton (University of Queensland), who will draw on her extensive experience conducting research with people who have engaged with direct-to-consumer genetic testing to access information about family, and Dr Cushla McKinney (UTS Sydney and the University of Otago), whose work explores how the genetic counselling profession has responded to direct-to-consumer genetic testing.
We hope to see you there!
Speakers
Dr Giselle Newton is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Digital Cultures and Societies in the Faculty of Humanities Arts Social Sciences at the University of Queensland. Giselle is a sociologist whose research focuses on understanding how digital, reproductive and genetic technologies (re)shape individuals’ relationships and everyday lives. In her work, Giselle considers processes of participation, representation and listening in the context of policy and legislative reform. Giselle’s PhD study explored how digital technologies such as social media and direct-to-consumer DNA testing have afforded donor-conceived people new opportunities to bond, sleuth, educate and strategise. Her current postdoctoral project focuses on direct-to-consumer DNA testing exploring the experiences of people who have tested to access information about family.
Dr Cushla McKinney is an Aotearoa (NZ)-dwelling final year student in the UTS Masters in Genetic Counselling course. In her non-student life, she works as a research scientist at the University of Otago, where she has been for over 20 years. She started out working on the genetics of complex common disease, with a particular interest in gout in Māori and Pacific Island populations. In more recent years, she has been involved in cancer research. She acquired a PhD in biochemistry and a Masters Degree in Bioethics and Health Law before finally achieving her dream of studying genetic counselling.
The seminar will be chaired by ELSI Genomics Network convenor Professor Ainsley Newson, and there will be ample time for audience questions.
How to join
Please register to access the Zoom link. If you cannot attend, please still register as this will ensure you are emailed a link to the recording afterwards. Finally, we invite you to extend this invitation to colleagues, friends and collaborators who have an interest in the ethical, legal and social implications of genomics.
Join the ELSI Genomics Network
The Australian ELSI Genomics Network is a space designed to share expertise, build collaborations and promote discussion surrounding the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Genomics in Australian clinical practice and research. Our aim for the network is to run quarterly meetings to promote discussion on important ELSI topics, facilitate new connections and support early career researchers. Learn more and subscribe to the newsletter here.