Australian Genomics

Great news that the Federal Government wants a complete ban on the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting. After a hard-fought campaign and more than 1000 submissions the Government will draft legislation for the ban. Congratulations to Monash University’s Jane Tiller (PhD) and Paul Lacaze for their outstanding research and drive on the issue. Read the media release here: https://lnkd.in/gUymx2FH

Join the University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research's upcoming seminar “Introduction to the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research: Strategic Focus and Impact” featuring Professor Laszlo Radvanyi (Ontario Institute for Cancer Research). The seminar will be held on Tuesday 17 September from 9.30am - 10:30am (AEST) onsite at the University of Melbourne and virtually (via Zoom). Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/dXGnvBMJ

Join us at the inaugural #OurDNA Symposium, hosted by the Centre for Population Genomics (CPG) with support from #AustralianGenomics. A satellite of the #GA4GH12thPlenary, this hybrid event will take place on Tuesday 17 September in Melbourne. The symposium aims to tackle the essential issue of underrepresentation in genomic medicine within diverse Australian communities. It will feature keynotes from renowned experts such as Professor Heidi Rehm (Broad Institute), Mary Ann Baquero Geronimo (Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia), and Professor Alex Brown (Telethon Kids and Australian National University). Facilitated by CPG Director Professor Daniel MacArthur and CPG OurDNA Lead Christopher Richards, the Symposium will provide deep insights into achieving equity in genomic medicine. Registration is available for online attendance here: https://lnkd.in/gMmQUGtP Global Alliance for Genomics and Health #genomics #equity #genomicmedicine #event #hybridevent

🥁 Exciting news alert! 🥁 We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new series of Rare Disease ECHO in collaboration with Rare Voices Australia and the Rare Care Centre. Join us for free and interactive webinars starting on September 19th. Register now to hear from experts on topics including #mentalhealth, #genomics, #culturallysafe care, and #clinicaltrials. Let's come together to support #raredisease patients and families. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/gy2D4g9Y 🌟 #healthcare #networking #education #support Rare Cancers Australia Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance UNSW Medicine & Health Sydney Children's Hospitals Network Australian Genomics The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Jodie Ingles Bronwyn Terrill RARE DISEASES INTERNATIONAL World Health Organization NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation Global Genes RARE Revolution Magazine EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe

GA4GH 12th Plenary is in 11 days! ✨Check out our keynote speakers and their talk titles. Haven't registered for the meeting, register virtually: https://bit.ly/3Xtqb64

Join us for the next #ELSIGenomicsNetwork seminar on Thursday 12 September at 1.30pm (AEST), as we explore recent Australian research into direct-to-consumer genetic tests. We will be joined by guest speakers Dr Giselle Newton (University of Queensland) and Dr Cushla McKinney (UTS Sydney and the University of Otago). 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. Find out more and register 👉 https://lnkd.in/gYmyZ_X6 Ainsley Newson FRSN #AustralianGenomics #ELSInetwork #ELSI #seminar #genomics #DTC #genetictesting #bioethics Human Genetics Society of Australasia - HGSA

Join Dr Mallory Freeberg as you take a whirlwind tour of the human genomics data resources available at European Bioinformatics Institute | EMBL-EBI. Scientists across the world use these tools to discover and explore genes, variants and their impact on human health and disease. This webinar  is free but you must register to join ➡ https://lnkd.in/gF2FBnaY #bioinformatics #training #genomics

Explaining genomics can be complex in anyone’s language. And in Australia more than 300 languages are spoken. Providing information in different languages is vital for involving diverse communities in research and clinical trials. That’s why a suite of materials in multiple languages has been developed to enable better understanding of genetics and genomics among Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The materials, now openly available, emerged from a project that set out to better meet the needs of communities that are underrepresented in clinical and population genomics research. By providing information and consent materials in plain English and priority community languages, the project ensures greater accessibility and inclusion. The project team collaborated with translators and community members, focus groups and education specialists to ensure the materials were culturally aligned and language appropriate. “Given Australians’ very diverse ancestral backgrounds, unless active steps are taken to address this problem, current rapid advances in genetic medicine will not benefit many Australian CALD communities,” the study’s white paper says. The materials are available in English and 10 languages considered a priority for genomics research in Australia: Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Fijian, Hazaragi, Samoan, Tagalog, Tongan, Urdu, and Vietnamese. They can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/gCKpdhdP The project was supported by Australian Genomics and conducted by the Centre for Population Genomics (CPG), a joint initiative of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. It was led by Professor Daniel MacArthur (Director, CPG) and Mary-Anne Young (Head of Clinical Translation and Engagement Platform, Garvan). 'Developing and translating participant and consent information for ancestry groups underrepresented in genomics research', available here: https://lnkd.in/gaxjtzhR

The next stage in the formation of a new national genomics body has been completed, with the Expert Advisory Group on Genomics Australia releasing its recommendations last week. Genomics Australia is scheduled to begin on July 1 next year. The EAG was appointed to provide advice to the Australian Government through the Department of Health and Aged Care on the design, role, main priorities, and key partnerships of the new body. One of the primary principles of the EAG recommendations is that Genomics Australia support and inform the functions of other government bodies and not duplicate work already being undertaken. The document comprises nine current priorities and nine functions for Genomics Australia. It recommends that the new body have a dynamic process for ensuring that priorities can be updated to reflect sector developments. Members of the EAG comprise researchers, clinicians, industry representatives, consumers, First Nations people and government representatives. Read the full recommendations here: https://lnkd.in/gCrYUWcn #GenomicsAustralia