| SGPPH - Council Meeting 19 November 2008 |
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Download Council minutes The Society for Genomics Policy and Population HealthCouncil meeting
1. Welcome & Apologies Apologies were received from Mair Crouch and David Melzer. 2. BSHG Affiliation At the recent AGM Chris Patch had given a presentation on this topic but no formal vote of members had been taken. It was decided that all of the current members should be emailed on this topic and asked to vote. If a majority of the current members voted in favour than steps to affiliate the SGPPH to the BSHG would commence. AH would draft up the email which would be sent out to members after approval by LJ. Action: AH 3. SGPPH Events 3rd AGM AH and LJ reported that much favourable feedback from delegates had been received, although there was negative feedback about the noise associated with the venue. Other rooms at SOAS could be used in future and the NCVO and Novotel at Euston were also suggested as possible venues. LJ asked that our thanks should be sent to C Wright for organising the speakers and programme. Action: JL Spring Meeting 09 Date: A day will hopefully be set during the last week in April. The birdcage will be sent out again. (NB Gencag meeting on 29 April) Action: JL Venue: JL explained the costings that she had done to date associated with the NCVO and Mary Ward House. BMA House was also suggested as a venue, and reduced rates may be possible as some of the Council are members. JL will look into costs and availability of this venue and report at the first meeting of the subcommittee. Action: JL Subcommittee: MH, LJ, SH and AH agreed to form a subcommittee for this event, and the first meeting by telephone conference call would take place on Tuesday 2 December at 1200. Instructions to be emailed. Action: JL A draft programme will be circulated before this meeting. Action: AH Programme: Different themes were discussed. However, it was decided that topics associated with the general theme of genetic exceptionalism could form an interesting programme, with the morning devoted to scientific aspects and the afternoon to policy ones. These topics could include: * Why genetic information differs to other types of information stored on databases * Gene patenting and genetic discrimination * Integration of genetics into primary care – Jonathan Mothers? could be a possible speaker * Family history and the progress of the American project. Nadeem Kureshi at Nottingham is involved in a project on family history and heart disease. LJ to do more research into this topic. Action: LJ * Genetics and insurance – two researchers in Lancaster (? Cesagen) could be asked to speak – SH to look into this more. Action: SH AK knows a colleague within GIG working on templates and the sharing of sensitive information with insurers. * Single equality bill – Trevor Philips could be a possible speaker * How are genes distinctive from other biomarkers. John Sulston could be a speaker. * Roche has drug development and diagnostic sections? Klaus Lindpaintner could be a good speaker and a counterbalance to John Sulston. If not, a speaker may be obtained from pharma diagnostics, or Chris Chamberlain who attended the Diagnostic Summit. * SH and Paula Sauko are working on nutrigenetics and have just produced a paper. SH offered to give a talk in defence of genetic exceptionalism. * Gene therapy * Possible perspectives noted were from industry and the MHRA, and ‘pro’ and cynical perspectives. Speakers: It is aimed to contact these next month (December). BSHG09 Ruth Cole has circulated an enquiry asking for offers of possible topics and speakers for BSHG09. The theme of biobanks was considered, to include topics such as ‘what use are biobanks’, the integration of different databases with multiple purposes, and Paul Burton’s work on numbers of people required to get statistically viable population (a great deal!). AH will email these initial suggestions to Ruth. Action: AH 4. AOB Mair Crouch has resigned as a council member. LJ considered that there was a need to target Geneticists as possible council members in future. J Lane 19.11.08
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