Title |
Genomics and Society
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Dates |
Nov 24, Dec 1 & Dec 8 |
Lang |
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
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Program |
DATE
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TOPIC
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PROGRAM
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Nov 24, 2022
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SESSION 1a
10:00-11:15
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Public image of genomics (analysis of representations of genomics in the media)
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Theory (interactive lecture)
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SESSION 1b
11:30-13:00
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Work in groups & presentation
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SESSION 2a
14:00-15:15
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Public awareness and understanding of genomics and DNA testing (analysis of studies on public awareness and understanding)
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Theory (interactive lecture)
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SESSION 2b
15:30-17:00
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Work in groups & presentation
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Dec 1, 2022
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SESSION 3a
10:00-11:15
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DNA testing related to health (discussion of the technologies used and how these tests are marketed)
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Theory (interactive lecture)
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SESSION 3b
11:30-13:00
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Work in groups & presentation
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SESSION 4a
14:00-15:15
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Ancestry DNA testing (discussion of the technologies used and how these tests are marketed)
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Theory (interactive lecture)
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SESSION 4b
15:30-17:00
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Work in groups & presentation
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Dec 8, 2022
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SESSION 5a
10:00-11:15
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Preparing a short (1,000-2,000 words) outreach article.
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Individual work with support of the teacher
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SESSION 5b
11:30-13:00
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SESSION 6
14:00-15:15
15:30-17:00
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Explaining genomics and DNA testing to non-experts (production of a short essay intended for a broad audience)
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Presentation and discussion
|
|
Location |
University of Lausanne, Amphipôle 359
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Map |
Map
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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.
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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
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Places |
15 |
Deadline for registration |
23.11.2022 |