UCL workshop on "Personal Genetic Testing: Challenges, Pitfalls, and Benefits in and Beyond the Clinic"

The front entrance of UCL. Photo by Neil Turner.
Originally published on Flickr under a Creative Commons Licence.

We are hosting a workshop at University College London (UCL) on 27th June on “Personal Genetic Testing: Challenges, Pitfalls, and Benefits in and Beyond the Clinic”

It will take place between 09.45 and 19.30 at the UCL Anthropology Department, 14 Taviton Street, London.

The event is free to attend but there are only a limited number of spaces at the venue so if you are interested in coming along make sure you register at EventBrite:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/personal-genetic-testing-challenges-and-benefits-in-and-beyond-the-clinic-tickets-34145019673

Here is the timetable for the meeting:

09.45. Welcome

10.00. Keynote Speech: Genetics and Identity - Adam Rutherford (BBC)

11.00-11.20. ~ Coffee Break ~

11.20. Science of Ancestry Testing, Focus Group - Garrett Hellenthal (UCL), Debbie Kennett (UCL), Turi King (University of Leicester), David Nicholson (Living DNA), Mike Mulligan (AncestryDNA), Mark Thomas (Moderator, UCL)

12.20-13.30. ~ Lunch ~

13.30. Ethical Issues in Personal Genetic Testing, Panel - Ernesto Schwartz-Marin (Durham University), Speaker TBC, Matthias Wienroth (Moderator, Northumbria University)

14.30. Social Science Perspectives on Personal Genetic Testing and Identity, Panel - Catherine Nash (Queen Mary University), Speaker TBC, Sahra Gibbon (Moderator, UCL)

15.30-16.00. ~ Coffee break ~

16.00. Security and Privacy Challenges in Genomics, Tutorial - Emiliano De Cristofaro (UCL)

17.00. Medical and Research Aspects of Personal Genetic Testing, Short Talks - Stephen Beck (UCL), David Bentley (Illumina), Joyce Harper (UCL, moderator)

18.00. Reception

Please note that the agenda may change and will be confirmed a few days before the event as we are still finalising some invitations. Please check the Eventbrite page for updates.

Abstract
The rapid growth of the Personal Genetic Testing (PGT) market raises a number of important scientific, ethical, legal and social concerns, including data security, privacy, and identity, as well as issues around the accuracy, utility, and communication of inferences regarding ancestry, biological predispositions, disease vulnerability, and the sharing of personal data with third parties.

At the same time, PGT has great potential value to individuals and healthcare providers. Realising this potential requires evidence-based standards for translating commercial genetic testing data into actionable medical information, and educating clinicians and the public on what can and cannot be inferred from personal genomes.

Sponsored by the UCL Grand Challenges Initiative, this workshop aims at establishing a highly interdisciplinary, highly engaged UK-based community of researchers and practitioners that are eager to tackle the various challenges associated with personal genetic testing and inform policymakers, clinicians, and companies.

Understanding genetic ancestry testing and debunking genetic astrology

I'm pleased to announce the launch of a new UCL website devoted to the subject of genetic ancestry testing. I've been working on this website with my UCL colleagues Professor David Balding, Professor Mark Thomas and Adrian Timpson.

The aim of the website is to explain how genetic ancestry tests work and to explain what such tests can and can't tell you, but with a particular focus on the inferences made about our deep ancestry. I am a passionate advocate for the use of DNA testing for genealogical purposes. DNA can be a very powerful tool when used in combination with both genealogical and historical records, especially now that the genetic genealogy databases are so large. However, it is much more difficult to make inferences about deep ancestry based on DNA evidence alone. Unfortunately many misleading stories and dubious claims which are not supported by the scientific evidence have appeared in the media. Such "genetic astrology" stories only serve to undermine public confidence in DNA testing and prevent the subject from being taken seriously. It is often difficult for the uninformed reader to make sense of these stories and to separate the facts from the storytelling. We hope that our website will go some way to setting the record straight.

The new website is an extension of our previous website which was devoted to the BritainsDNA saga. BritainsDNA are not by any means the only source of exaggerated claims appearing in the media, though to our knowledge they are the only company who have resorted to legal threats in an attempt to silence their critics. The BritainsDNA saga still features prominently but we have now added additional sections to the website looking at dubious claims from other commercial organisations, and deconstructing some of the doubtful research claims that have appeared on TV or in the press. We also have a section devoted to some of the more problematic theories about our genetic ancestry that are circulated over the internet, in the press, and across social media platforms. The new website can be found here:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/mace-lab/debunking

The website is inevitably a work in progress, and will evolve over time. We would welcome any feedback and in particular suggestions for further topics which should be covered.

My new position as Honorary Research Associate at UCL

I am very honoured to have been conferred the status of Honorary Research Associate in the the Department of Human Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London. The appointment took effect from 1st July and runs for five years ending on 30th June 2018. The letter confirming my status has only just arrived so I have not been able to announce the news before.

Professor Mark Thomas and Professor David Balding kindly nominated me for this position. I first met them at Who Do You Think You Are? Live in February this year and have worked closely with them since then to help counter some of the inaccurate and sensationalist genetics stories that have appeared in the press while at the same time clarifying the legitimate genealogical applications of DNA testing. My appointment will allow me to have access to the considerable library and e-library facilities at UCL to help with my research, and I will be able to participate in seminars and lab discussions. I very much look forward to the collaboration continuing.