Detailed information about the course

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Title

Genomics and Society

Dates

Nov 24, Dec 1 & Dec 8

Lang EN Workshop language is English
Organizer(s)

Corinne Dentan, CUSO StarOmics
Catherine Suarez, CUSO DPEE

Speakers

Dr. Kostas Kampourakis, UNIGE

Description

In early 2020, more than 30 million people had taken a DNA test, either related to ancestry or to health. In many of these cases, individuals did not consult experts about how to accurately interpret the results of these tests and about what kind of inferences are legitimate. On the one hand, ancestry testing is often perceived as a recreational activity and therefore discussing one's result with a genealogist seems unnecessary. In addition, there are no genetic ancestry counselors. On the other hand, even if genetic testing companies themselves state that genetic tests related to health do not stand as diagnoses, not only people do not consult experts such as genetic counselors or other health professionals, but also many of these experts do not seem to be adequately trained in order to explain to people the potential and limitations of these tests. In this course intended for PhD students, the public perception of DNA testing will be discussed, both for ancestry and for health, and the expectations that test-takers often have. Students will be asked to reflect upon the science behind genetic testing, its actual potential and limitations. This will provide the basis for students' development of the necessary skills to effectively communicate the potential and the limitations of genomic technologies to lay people. In particular, participants will be able to explain what kind of information genetic tests can actually provide, which is nothing more than an estimate of a range of probabilities to develop a disease. Furthermore, participants are going to look at ancestry testing, the current technologies of assigning individuals to particular populations, and the problems with making inferences about ancestral populations and individual ancestry from these results. In both cases effective communication requires that scientists are aware of what lay people know about these topics and what they think about them. This course will provide them with this information as well as the skill to effectively communicate the potential of genomics to lay people.


At the end of this course the students should be able to:

  • Understand the societal issues related to the public awareness of genomics.

  • Analyze polls on the public awareness and understanding of genomics, and interpret their findings.

  • Address the concerns that non-experts have when it comes DNA testing.

  • Explain the validity and the reliability of DNA testing to lay people, as well as the relevant limitations.

  • Create a short essay that is intended to help non-experts understand a specific aspect of or topic related to genomics and society.

  • Evaluate the short essays of other participants in terms of comprehensiveness and comprehensibility.


Materials:

  • Course page on: moodle.unige.ch
  • Recommended books:
    Kampourakis, K. (2021) Understanding Genes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
    Krimsky, S. (2021) Understanding DNA Ancestry. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

 

Program

 DATE


 TOPIC

 PROGRAM

Nov 24, 2022

SESSION 1a

10:00-11:15

Public image of genomics (analysis of representations of genomics in the media)

Theory (interactive lecture)

SESSION 1b

11:30-13:00

Work in groups & presentation

SESSION 2a

14:00-15:15

Public awareness and understanding of genomics and DNA testing (analysis of studies on public awareness and understanding)

Theory (interactive lecture)

SESSION 2b

15:30-17:00

Work in groups & presentation

Dec 1, 2022

SESSION 3a

10:00-11:15

DNA testing related to health (discussion of the technologies used and how these tests are marketed)

Theory (interactive lecture)

SESSION 3b

11:30-13:00

Work in groups & presentation

SESSION 4a

14:00-15:15

Ancestry DNA testing
(discussion of the technologies used and how these tests are marketed)

Theory (interactive lecture)

SESSION 4b

15:30-17:00

Work in groups & presentation

Dec 8, 2022

SESSION 5a

10:00-11:15

Preparing a short (1,000-2,000 words) outreach article.

 

Individual work with support of the teacher

SESSION 5b

11:30-13:00

SESSION 6

14:00-15:15

15:30-17:00

Explaining genomics and DNA testing to non-experts
(production of a short essay intended for a broad audience)


Presentation and discussion

Location

University of Lausanne, Amphipôle 359

Map

Map

Evaluation

All sessions must be attended in order to receive the certificate.

Information

Note:

-coffee provided in the morning.
-lunch vouchers for the cafeteria will be provided (only for CUSO PhD students)

When?

  • 24 Nov 2022
  • 1 Dec 2022
  • 8 Dec 2022

Time: 10h00-13h00 and 14h00-17h00


Where?


University of Lausanne, Amphipôle 359


Questions?

contact: ecologie-evolution(at)cuso(dot)ch

Note: The course is organized in collaboration with the CUSO StarOmics.

 

Expenses

Registration

PhD students
and postdocs at UNIL, UNIGE, UNIFR, UNINE and UNIBE: Free

 

Cancellation policy
In case of cancellations, before 10.11.2022: free
Late cancellations or 'no-show': 50 CHF administrative fee

 

Reimbursements
For CUSO PhD students:Train ticket, 2nd class, half-fare from the main train station of your university location to the place of the activity.
Note: Reimbursement of your travel tickets can be asked online through your MyCUSO account.
See HERE for the procedure.

For any question regarding reimbursements please contact the CUSO EE coordinator Catherine Suarez at: ecologie-evolution(at) cuso(dot)ch.

 

Registration

Deadline for registration: Nov 20 extended deadline Nov 23 !
Priority is given to DPEE and StarOmics members until Nov 1. After the course is open to any PhD student of UNIBE, UNIGE, UNIL, UNIFR & UNINE.
Last info Nov 16: Course open to postdocs as well

Cancellation
In case of cancellations, before 10.11.2022: free
Late cancellations or no-show: 50 CHF administrative fee

 

Places

15

Deadline for registration 23.11.2022
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