GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS - JANUARY 2019 | ISSUE 80
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JANUARY 2019 | ISSUE 80
GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS
In this issue The Genetics Society News is edited by
Dr Lynsey Hall and items for future issues
• Mitochondrial Donation - all things considered
can be sent to the editor by email to
• C. elegans - Sectional Interest Group in the spotlight HallL10@cardiff.ac.uk.
• Research and travel grant reports
The Newsletter is published twice a year,
• Meeting announcements with copy dates of July and January.
Cover image: Genetics Society members in attendance at the Autumn Meeting
“Genotype to Phenotype to Fitness” hosted by the University of Exeter.
Photograph courtesy of Doug Vernimmen.
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
A word from the editor
Welcome to Issue 80
Welcome to the latest addition of The Society has been continuing
the Genetics Society newsletter. centenary preparations ahead
Since the last newsletter the of 2019 (now finally here!) In
Society has hosted its annual August we trialled our discovery
Autumn Meeting, this year at garden at the Edinburgh
the University of Exeter on the Festival, which we hope we
theme of “Genotype to Phenotype will be taking to the Chelsea
to Fitness”. We also had the Flower Show in May, and that
pleasure of co-sponsoring the will be permanently installed
Royal Institution Christmas at the Royal Botanic gardens,
Lectures, with our guest lecturer Edinburgh, at the end of 2019 .
Aoife McLysaght co-hosting the Photos from this can be found
lectures, entitled “Who Am I?”. in the Features section of the
Aoife, who is already familiar newsletter.
with the Royal Institute as the
winner of the Genetics Society In this issue, I would like
2016 Haldane Lecture, added her to draw your attention to
an interview the Society time. We also continue our
genetics expertise to Professor Sectional Interest Group in
Alice Roberts, (University commissioned looking at how
scientific evidence was fed the spotlight series, this issue
of Birmingham) biological focussing on the C. elegans
anthropology knowledge and into the ethical debate which
surrounded mitochondrial meeting.
together they explore what makes
us human, and more directly, donation (a technique often I hope you enjoy this issue, and
what makes us who we are. attributed the misnomer, all of the reports on the various
“three person babies”). Go to research and meetings which we
The lectures are now available the Features section of the have been delighted to fund.
on BBC iPlayer (although make newsletter to read the interview
sure you have a valid TV licence with Dr Andy Greenfield, who Best wishes,
before tuning in!). sat on the HEFA panel at the Lynsey Hall
In this issue, I would like to draw your attention to an
interview the Society commissioned looking at how
scientific evidence was fed into the ethical debate which
surrounded mitochondrial donation (a technique often
attributed the misnomer, “three person babies”).
2 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 80
ISSUE 80 . January 2019
For more details please contact:
The Genetics Society
Charles Darwin House
12 Roger Street
London CONTENTS
WC1N 2JU
Switchboard: +44 0203 793 7850
Email: theteam@genetics.org.uk
Web: www.genetics.org.uk
Meeting Announcements 4
The Genetics Society Journals Genetics Society Scientific Meetings
Heredity External Meetings Diary
www.nature.com/hd
Editor-in-Chief: Prof Barbara Mable Sectional Interest Groups 7
Heredity Editorial Office, University of Glasgow,
Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland Genetics Society Business 9
Honorary Secretary’s Notices
Genes and Development
www.genesdev.org Features 19
Editor: Dr Terri Grodzicker
Mitochondrial donation: all things considered
Genes & Development, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press,
500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York, 11797, USA - an interview with Andy Greenfield
C. elegans - SIG in the spotlight
Committee members
Genetics Society Centenary events
President
Prof Laurence D. Hurst, University of Bath Grant Reports 25
Junior Scientist Travel Reports
Vice-Presidents
Heredity Fieldwork Grant Report
Corporate Affairs Training Grant Reports
Prof Malcolm Logan, King’s College London Public Engagement Grant Reports
External Relations
G&D Summer Studentship Grant Reports
Prof Colum Walsh, University of Ulster
Public Understanding of Genetics Grant Schemes 44
Prof Alison Woollard, University of Oxford
Contacting the Genetics Society 51
Honorary Secretary
Dr Jonathan Pettitt, University of Aberdeen
Honorary Treasurer
Prof Martin Taylor, University of Edinburgh
Scientific Meetings Secretary
Dr Marika Charalambous, King’s College London
Newsletter Editor
Dr Lynsey Hall, Cardiff University
Website Editor
Dr Kay Boulton, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh
Policy Officer
Prof Rebecca Oakey, King’s College London
Postgraduate Representative
Ms Helena Wells, Kings College London
Ordinary Committee Members
Gene Structure, function and regulation
Dr Aziz Aboobaker, University of Oxford
Dr Douglas Vernimmen, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh
Genomics
Dr Michael Simpson, King’s College London
Dr Sudhakaran Prabakaran, University of Cambridge
Cell and Develomental Genetics
Prof Stefan Hoppler, University of Aberdeen
Applied and Quantitative Genetics
Dr Lindsey Leach, University of Birmingham
Dr Alastair Wilson, University of Exeter
Evolutionary, ecological and population genetics
Dr Frank Hailer, Cardiff University
Prof Jason Wolf, University of Bath
Corporate Genetics and Biotechnology
Dr Jim Huggett, University of Surrey and LGC Teddington
Dr Alison Bentley, The National Institute of Agricultural Botany
Design and Print
Collaborate Agency
www.collaborate.agency
www.genetics.org.uk . 3
A Genetics Society Workshop
Communicating Your Science
24 - 26 April 2019, Chicheley Hall, Chicheley, Buckinghamshire
An important part of science is getting your Speakers and Tutors include
results and ideas across to others, through Enrico Coen
papers, presentations, theses, grant proposals, (Author and Professor of Genetics,
conversations and interviews. Your audience may John Innes Centre, Norwich)
include specialists in the field, those from other
disciplines, industry, or the general public. Helen Keen
How can you best communicate your science? (Multi-award winning writer and performer)
Alison Woollard
This workshop brings together experts in different (2013 Royal Institution Christmas Lecturer and Professor of
fields - writers, broadcasters and presenters - to Genetics, University of Oxford)
help you explore and develop your communication
skills. Working together with others on the course,
you will learn how to structure presentations, Workshop Organiser
develop writing skills, bridge disciplines and have Jonathan Pettitt
hands-on experience of creating media across a (University of Aberdeen)
variety of platforms.
Application Deadline: 20 March 2019
This workshop is open to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working in genetics and related areas
The Genetics Society will cover costs of travel, accommodation and meals for all successful applicants
www.genetics.org.uk/grants/comm-your-sci/
GENETICS SOCIETY
5 SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
More detailed information and links to event websites can be found at
www.genetics.org.uk/events_categories/conferences/
BNA Festival of Neuroscience A Century of Genetics – Celebrating 100
Date: 14th - 17th April, 2019 years of genetics in Edinburgh and the
Location: The Convention Centre Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Genetics Society in the UK
Website: http://meetings.bna.org.uk/bna2019/ Date: 13th - 15th November 2019
Info: The first Festival (BNA2013, London) set the Location: Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh
template for a completely novel forum, where other Registration deadline: Further details to follow
organisations with an interest in brain research were Abstract submissions:
invited to join the BNA to create a cross-disciplinary 7th January - 1st August, 2019
and celebratory neuroscience event, bringing together Website:
fundamental research with clinical expertise and public www.genetics.org.uk/events/100-years-genetics/
engagement as well. Subsequent Festivals (BNA2015
in Edinburgh; BNA2017 in Birmingham) confirmed the
success and popularity of this innovation; each one has
attracted 1150-1500 delegates.
REGISTER FOR MORE GENETIC SOCIETY EVENTS AT:
www.genetics.org.uk
www.genetics.org.uk . 5
EXTERNAL MEETINGS DIARY 6
More detailed information and links to event Wellcome Advanced Courses and Scientific
websites can be found at Conferences – Animal Genetics and Diseases
http://www.genetics.org.uk/events_categories/ Date: 8th - 10th May, 2019
external-meetings/ Location: Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton,
Cambridge
We will happily include any announcements for Deadlines: 26th Feb (bursary), 12th March (abstract),
genetics-based meetings in this section. Please 9th April (registration)
send any items to theteam@genetics.org.uk Website: coursesandconferences.
wellcomegenomecampus.org/our-events/animal-
Spatial Genome Organization Conference genetics-diseases-2019/
Date: 25th - 28th February 2019 Info: The second conference in this series will
Location: Melia Nassau Beach Hotel, Nassau, Bahamas highlight recent advances in animal genetics
Website: www.fusion-conferences.com/registration88.php and genomic technologies. It will bring together
Info: The conference will bring together scientists specialists working on the interface of genomics,
interested in better characterizing the non-random genetic engineering and infectious disease with the
organization of the genome while also revealing how aims of improving animal and human health and
this organization is influenced by various cues or welfare. This year’s conference will not only put the
disease conditions. Currently, these topics are typically spotlight on the immune response of host animals
addressed in a small session of other conferences and epidemiology but also cover the genetics and
however the field of spatial genome organization genomics of pathogens and the impact of animal-
has grown substantially over the past two decades human relationships.
warranting the creation of a dedicated and continuous
conference.
Wellcome Advanced Courses and Scientific
Conferences – Genomics of Rare Disease
Date: 27th - 29th March 2019
Location: Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton,
Cambridge
Deadlines: 15th January (bursary), 29th January
(abstract), 26th February (registration)
Website: coursesandconferences.
wellcomegenomecampus.org/our-events/genomics-rare-
disease-2019/
Info: Genomics of Rare Disease will present an exciting
blend of genomic science and clinical medicine.
This meeting will explore how cutting-edge genomic
research translates into clinical care and informs
our understanding of the biology of rare disease. The
programme features the latest findings related to the
genomic basis of rare diseases, providing powerful
insights into human biology, disease mechanisms and
therapeutic approaches. As genomic sequencing becomes
more available in the hospital setting, we also examine
the opportunities and challenges for clinical practice.
6 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 80
7 SECTIONAL INTEREST GROUPS
The Genetics Society helps support several sectional Genetics Society Pombe Club
interest groups by providing meeting sponsorship. Next meeting: Details to follow
We currently have 14 groups who organise sectional Organiser: Jacqueline Hayles
(jacqueline.hayles@crick.ac.uk)
interest meetings with the organizers and dates of
Website: genetics.org.uk/events/genetics-society-
any forthcoming meetings are listed below. If you are pombe-club/
interested in any of these areas, please contact the
relevant organiser. This information is also available at: London Fly meetings
Next meeting: 3rd Wednesday of the month (Francis
www.genetics.org.uk/events_categories/ Crick Institute, Lincoln’s Inn Fields laboratory, London)
sectional-interest-groups/ Organisers: Nic Tapon (nic.tapon@crick.ac.uk) and
Groups who wish to be considered for sectional Barry Thompson (barry.thompson@crick.ac.uk)
Website: lists.londonflymeeting.org/listinfo/lfm
interest group status should contact Scientific
Meetings Secretary, Dr Marika Charalambous (Marika. Mammalian Genes, Development and Disease
charalambous@kcl.ac.uk) in the first instance. Next meeting: 5th July 2019, Milner Centre, Bath
University
Archaea Group Organisers: Rosalind John (johnrm@Cardiff.ac.uk),
Next meeting: Details to follow Karin Malik (k.t.a.malik@bristol.ac.uk), Keith Vance
Organiser: Thorsten Allers (k.w.vance@bath.ac.uk), David Allard (d.allard@
(thorsten.allers@nottingham.ac.uk) exeter.ac.uk)
Website: abdn.ac.uk/events/conferences/archaeal- Website: genetics.org.uk/events/mammalian-genes-
workshop-2019-818.php development-and-disease/
British Yeast Group Mammalian Genetics and Development
Next meeting: 26th-28th June 2019, County Hotel, Next meeting: Details to follow
Newcastle upon Tyne Organisers: Nick Greene (n.greene@ucl.ac.uk),
Organisers: Janet Quinn (janet.quinn@newcastle.ac.uk), Andrew Copp (a.copp@ucl.ac.uk), Cynthia Andoniadou
Simon Whitehall (simon.whitehall@newcastle.ac.uk), (cynthia.andoniadou@kcl.ac.uk)
Julian Rutherford (julian.rutherford@newcastle.ac.uk) Website: ucl.ac.uk/ich/research/developmental-
Website: microbiologysociety.org/event/society-events- biology-cancer/DBCmeetings/MGDW/mgw_workshop
and-meetings/byg-discovery-to-impact.html Meiosis group
C. elegans Next meeting: 17th-18th April 2019, University of
Next meeting: 16th Sept 2019, South Kensington Campus, Aberystwyth
Imperial College London Organiser: Dylan Phillips (dwp@aber.ac.uk)
Organiser: Michalis Barkoulas Website: www.genetics.org.uk/events/meiosis-group/
(m.barkoulas@imperial.ac.uk) Population Genetics Group
Website: genetics.org.uk/events/c-elegans/ Next meeting: January 2020, University of Leicester
e-ACTG (Edinburgh Alliance for Complex Trait (further details to follow)
Genetics) Organiser: Robert Hammond (rh225@le.ac.uk)
Next meeting: Spring 2019 (date tbc), Royal Society of Website: populationgeneticsgroup.org.uk/
Edinburgh, Edinburgh South-West Fly
Organisers: Chris Haley (chris.haley@roslin.ed.ac.uk) and Next meeting: 30th Jan 2019, 8th May 2019, University
Josephine Pemberton (j.pemberton@ed.ac.uk) of Bristol
Website: www.wiki.ed.ac.uk/display/eactg/Edinburgh+ Organiser: James Hodge (James.Hodge@bristol.ac.uk)
Alliance+for+Complex+Trait+Genetics Website: www.bristol.ac.uk/phys-pharm-neuro/
The Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics Symposium events/fly-meetings/
(EGGS) UK Cilia Network
Next meeting: 19th March 2019, Cambridge Next meeting: 22nd March 2019, The Circle, Sheffield
Organiser: Frank Jiggins (fmj1001@cam.ac.uk) Organisers: Colin Bingle (c.d.bingle@sheffield.ac.uk),
Website: evolutionarygenetics.heliconius.org/eggs/ Gwen Reilly (g.reilly@sheffield.ac.uk)
Genomic Arabidopsis Resource Network (GARNet) Website: www.cilianetwork.org.uk
Next meeting: Details to follow
Organiser: Geraint Parry
(geraint@garnetcommunity.org.uk)
Website: garnetcommunity.org.uk
www.genetics.org.uk . 7
Special Issue: Evolutionary Consequences of Epigenetic
Inheritance (based on 2017 ESEB symposium)
Epigenetic inheritance is the non-genetic inheritance of a modified
phenotype across generations, and while its occurrence is well
documented, its influence over evolutionary processes is debated.
This special issue deals with the evolutionary consequences of
epigenetic inheritance and focuses broadly on the evolutionary
forces selecting for epigenetic inheritance, its costs and importance
for adaptation. Moreover, several contributions specifically highlight
the effects of paternal trans-generational epigenetic inheritance,
which until now have received comparatively little attention. The
Coming: Fitness contributions to this special issue give an important snapshot of the
landscapes, big data and state of the adaptive epigenetic inheritance field, highlight its
the predictability of evolutionary consequences and point out important directions
evolu8on (ESEB forward.
symposium 2017)
Guest Editors: Inês Fragata, Guest Editors: Foteini Spagopoulou and Martin Lind, Department of
Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology, Uppsala University, Sweden
Sebas8an Matuszewski
Heredity Volume 121, pages 205–209 (2018)
FREE ACCESS August 17-31
Introducing Genetics Unzipped – the new Genetics Society podcast
We’re very pleased to announce the launch of our The next episode will explore the deadly DNA that
new fortnightly podcast, Genetics Unzipped, bringing causes Huntington’s disease, discover the science
you a wide range of stories from the world of behind spider-goats, and take a look at the special
genetics, genomics and DNA. place that viruses hold in the history of genetic
research.
Presented by former Naked Genetics host Kat Arney
and produced by First Create The Media, listeners can Find Genetics Unzipped online at geneticsunzipped.
expect to hear interviews with experts from around com, or subscribe for free through Apple Podcasts,
the world, all the latest news, and a special centenary Stitcher, Spotify and all good podcast apps. You can
series celebrating 100 ideas in genetics. email podcast@geneticsunzipped.com with feedback
and suggestions for future topics or guests. And
The series starts with a behind-the-scenes peek at the finally, please do take a moment to rate and review
iconic 2018 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on the show to help raise awareness.
the theme ‘Who am I?’, presented by Professors Alice
Roberts and Aoife McLysaght, in partnership with the
Genetics Society.
8 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 80
9 GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS
Honorary Secretary’s Notices
Jonathan Petitt . Honorary Secretary, University of Aberdeen
Current and Upcoming Medal and Prize Lecture Announcements
Committee Vacancies
2019 Mendel Medal –
T he following posts will fall vacant
on 1st May 2020, and we seek
replacements who will begin their
Professor William G. Hill
Edinburgh to undertake a PhD
terms in 2019 (1st May 2019 for the in quantitative and population
Honorary Treasurer and Newsletter genetics with Alan Robertson.
Editor; 1st November 2019 for the Apart from occasional periods
Postgraduate Representative), abroad to work with his many
shadowing the current incumbents: collaborators, he has stayed in
Honorary Treasurer Edinburgh since, building on the
to replace Martin Taylor historical strength in quantitative
genetics developed by Douglas
Newsletter Editor Falconer, Alan Robertson and
to replace Lynsey Hall
others.
Postgraduate Representative
Bill’s research is primarily
to replace Helena Wells
theoretical, using mathematical
The following committee posts will be and computer models of the
falling vacant as of 1st May 2019: behaviour of genes in populations
Ordinary Committee member to understand the genetic
basis of quantitatively varying
(Gene Structure, Function and
Regulation)
to replace Doug Vernimmen
T he Genetics Society is
delighted to announce
that Professor William G. Hill,
traits. His contributions have
included studies of how genetic
University of Edinburgh, has variation is maintained in natural
Ordinary Committee member populations, and how selection
accepted the 2019 Mendel Medal,
(Genomics) (both natural and artificial)
awarded by president, Professor
to replace Michael Simpson changes the structure of genetic
Laurence Hurst.
Ordinary Committee member variation. He has made numerous
(Corporate Genetics and Bill Hill is one of the world’s very influential advances in our
Biotechnology) leading quantitative geneticists, understanding of the effects
to replace Jim Huggett with a distinguished research of finite population size and
career spanning 40 years, focused mutation on variability and
We have extended the nomination on the variability in complex selection responses, notably the
deadline for these posts: Friday 28th traits arising from the joint effects role of mutation in maintaining
December 2019. of genetic and environmental continued responses to selection.
Any member in good standing is factors. Raised on a Hertfordshire In addition to his purely scientific
eligible to submit nominations farm (that the family still owns), work, he has made many
for these posts (including self- Bill came into genetics via an important contributions to the
nominations). Nominations should be interest in livestock improvement. application of genetics to animal
sent to Jonathan Pettitt After studying Agriculture at Wye improvement, which have had
(j.pettitt@abdn.ac.uk). College London and Genetics at a major impact on the livestock
UC Davis, Bill moved to breeding industry. He is a sought-
www.genetics.org.uk . 9
GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS
10
after consultant by both public acting at a locus interferes with Engineering at the University
agencies and private businesses in that happening simultaneously of Edinburgh until his official
this area. at linked loci. The Hill-Robertson retirement in 2002. He continues
effect has become one of the most to be highly active in the fields of
Of especial importance has influential ideas in population quantitative genetics and animal
been his work on linkage genetics, finding a new lease breeding and has inspired many
disequilibrium, the non-random of life in its ability to explain generations of scientists through
associations between genetic patterns of molecular evolution his teaching and supervision.
variants at different sites in the and diversity revealed by the
genome. Such associations now genomic revolution. Within He was elected to the Royal
provide an immensely important recent years, his work has helped Society of Edinburgh in 1979, the
tool for geneticists seeking to map to shape our understanding of Royal Society of London in 1985
and identify genes involved in what genome-scale data sets can and appointed OBE in 2004, in
disease and other complex traits, tell us about complex traits and part for his contribution to the
and Bill’s work provided a basic relatedness within populations. UK animal breeding industry. Bill
framework for modelling and has been an honorary member
analysing linkage disequilibrium, Bill has served with distinction of the Genetics Society for many
which he went on to apply to in several important academic years, and fittingly, will present
genetic mapping. As a PhD administrative posts, culminating his lecture at the “A Century of
student with Alan Robertson, in the position of Dean of Genetics” conference to be held
Bill demonstrated how selection the Faculty of Science and November 2019, Edinburgh.
2019 Genetics Society –
Professor Deborah Charlesworth
T he Genetics Society is
delighted to announce that
Professor Deborah Charlesworth,
of Chicago in 1998, moving
to Edinburgh as a Research
Professor in 1997, to work on the
University of Edinburgh, has evolution of plant mating systems
accepted the 2019 Genetics Society and plant sex chromosomes.
Medal. She is a Fellow of the Royal
Society. She was the president
Deborah Charlesworth is a Senior of the Society for Molecular
Honorary Professorial Fellow Biology and Evolution in 2007,
in the Institute of Evolutionary and of the European Society for
Biology in the School of Evolutionary Biology in 2001, and
Biological Sciences at the received the Molecular Ecology
University of Edinburgh. After Prize in 2011. She currently
a PhD in genetics at Cambridge works on the evolution of sex
in 1968, she did postdoctoral chromosomes in a fish, the guppy.
research in human genetics at She has published over 200 papers
the Universities of Cambridge and co-authored three books (two
and Chicago. She then started with Brian Charlesworth).
working on evolutionary genetics
with Brian Charlesworth at the Deborah will present her lecture
Universities of Liverpool and at the Genetics Society centenary
Sussex and was appointed to a scientific meeting, “A Century of
faculty position at the University Genetics” in Edinburgh, 2019.
10 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 80GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS
11
2019 Mary Lyon Medal – Professor Oliver Pybus
University of Oxford, and Training Fellowship in Biodiversity,
Professorial Fellow of New College, a Royal Society University
Oxford. His work focuses on Research Fellowship, and an
the evolutionary and ecological ERC Consolidator Award. He was
dynamics of infectious disease, previously Tutor for Biological
and on the development of Sciences at New College, Oxford.
phylodynamic analysis methods.
Oliver was awarded the Scientific
An interest in biology and Medal of the Zoological Society
computing at school led him to of London in 2009 and the Daiwa
study Genetics at the University Adrian Prize in 2010. He is the
of Nottingham, which included a founding editor of the journal
T he Genetics Society is pleased
to announce that Professor
Oliver Pybus, University of Oxford,
research project with Bryan Clarke.
Following a Masters degree, he
Virus Evolution, and is co-
Director of the Oxford Martin
has accepted the 2019 Mary Lyon undertook a DPhil in evolutionary School Programme on Pandemic
Medal. biology at the University of Genomics.
Oxford supervised by Paul Harvey.
Oliver Pybus is Professor of He has continued his work on Oliver will present his lecture at the
Evolution & Infectious Disease phylodynamics with the support Genetics Society 2109 meeting “A
at the Department of Zoology, of a Wellcome Trust Research Century of Genetics” in Edinburgh.
2019 Balfour Lecture – Dr Susan Johnston
her PhD in evolutionary genetics sheep, deer and house sparrows.
at the University of Sheffield
with Prof Jon Slate, before taking Her current work investigates
up postdoctoral positions at the the causes and consequences
University of Turku, Finland of recombination rate variation
with Prof Craig Primmer and the within and between chromosomes,
University of Edinburgh with Prof individuals, sexes, populations
Josephine Pemberton. She started and species, to understand why
her current position as a Research recombination is so pervasive yet
Fellow in October 2016. variable and how it is evolving
across a wide range of taxa. Her
Her PhD and postdoctoral research group also investigates the role
T he Genetics Society is pleased
to announce Dr Susan
Johnston, University of Edinburgh,
focussed on understanding why
genetic variation is maintained
of sexual selection and indirect
genetic effects, such as maternal
in traits under sexual selection, effects, on trait evolution. She is
as the 2019 Balfour Lecturer. investigating genetic architecture keen to promote and encourage
Susan Johnston is a Royal Society and fitness trade-offs in sexual women and under-represented
University Research Fellow at the weaponry in Soay sheep and age minorities into scientific careers,
Institute of Evolutionary Biology at maturity in Atlantic salmon. and has a young child born in 2018.
at the University of Edinburgh. Her She then shifted her research
to investigating the genetic Susan will present the 2019 Balfour
research integrates quantitative Lecture at the Genetics Society 2109
genetics with genomics to architecture and evolution of
individual recombination rate meeting “A Century of Genetics”,
understand evolutionary trade- to be held in Edinburgh.
offs in wild populations. She did variation in wild populations of
www.genetics.org.uk . 11GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS
12
Sir Kenneth Mather Memorial Prize –
Rosina Savisaar
C ongratulations to Rosina
Savisaar, who was the
recipient of the 2017/2018 Sir
I am interested in how the
mechanistic details of gene
expression constrain sequence
In my thesis work, I studied
patterns of selection on such
regulatory motifs in human
Kenneth Mather Memorial Prize. evolution. For example, correct coding sequences. Most
splicing requires the binding of importantly, I found that selection
“I am very happy and grateful splicing factors to regulatory to preserve splice promoting
to have been awarded the Sir motifs in the mRNA transcript. motifs is not only widespread
Kenneth Mather memorial These motifs often occur inside (roughly one in five fourfold
prize. I am also very thankful to coding regions. degenerate sites are constrained)
Prof Laurence D. Hurst for the but also strong.
nomination and for his excellent This leads to a fascinating
supervision during my PhD at situation where certain parts Hence, contrary to the received
the University of Bath. I have of the coding sequence have to wisdom, human synonymous
now finished my thesis and do two jobs at once: specify the sites are frequently under strong
am working at Nile University amino acid sequence in that negative selection. The need to
in Giza, Egypt, where I teach region of the protein but also ensure correct splicing is thus an
bioinformatics. I try to sneak maintain the binding motif for important determinant of how
in some (population) genetics the splicing factor. our coding regions evolve.”
whenever I can.
Medal Nominations
Genetics Society Medal Call for Nominations
Nominations are now being invited
for the 2018 Genetics Society Medal.
T he Genetics Society Medal
is an award that recognises
outstanding research contributions
To make a nomination, please
confirm that your candidate is willing
to be nominated, then forward
to genetics. The Medal recipient, a two-page CV of the candidate,
who should still be active in together with a list of their ten
research at the time the Medal is most important publications, plus a
awarded, will be elected annually one-page letter of recommendation
by the Committee on the basis outlining why you feel their
of nominations made by any contributions to the field have been
individual member of the Society. outstanding.
Those making nominations must have retired from office in the past
be members of the Genetics Society, four years may be nominated for These documents must be submitted
but there is no requirement for the award. The recipient will be electronically to the Honorary
the nominee to be a member, nor invited to deliver a lecture at a Secretary of the Genetics Society,
any restriction on nationality or Genetics Society meeting, where the Jonathan Pettitt, by 29th April, 2019
residence. Neither current members medal will be awarded, in the year at: j.pettitt@abdn.ac.uk.
of the Committee nor those who following his/her election.
12 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 80GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS
13
Call for Nominations
Mary Lyon Medal Nominations are now being invited
for the 2018 Mary Lyon Medal. To
This award, named after the make a nomination, please confirm
distinguished geneticist Mary that your candidate is willing to be
Lyon FRS, was established in 2015 nominated, then forward a two-page
to reward outstanding research in CV of the candidate, together with
genetics to scientists who are in the a list of their ten most important
middle of their research career. publications, plus a one-page letter of
recommendation outlining why you
The Mary Lyon medal will be feel their contributions to the field
awarded annually, and the winner have been outstanding.
will be invited to present a lecture
at one of the Genetics Society These documents must be submitted
scientific meetings. electronically to the Honorary
Secretary of the Genetics Society,
Jonathan Pettitt, by 29th April, 2019
at: j.pettitt@abdn.ac.uk.
Balfour Lecture Call for Nominations
Nominations are now being invited
for the 2018 Balfour Lecture. To
T he Balfour Lecture, named
after the Genetics Society’s
first President, is an award to mark
Those making nominations
must be members of the
Genetics Society, but there is no
make a nomination, please confirm
that your candidate is willing to be
nominated, then forward a two-page
the contributions to genetics of an requirement for the nominee to CV of the candidate, together with
outstanding young investigator. The be a member, nor is there any a list of their ten most important
Balfour Lecturer is elected by the restriction on nationality or publications, plus a one-page letter of
Society’s Committee on the basis of residence. recommendation outlining why you
nominations made by any individual feel their contributions to the field
member of the Society. have been outstanding.
The only conditions are that These documents must be submitted
the recipient of the award must electronically to the Honorary
normally have less than 10 years’ Secretary of the Genetics Society,
postdoctoral research experience at Jonathan Pettitt, by 29th April, 2019
the time of nomination, and that any at: j.pettitt@abdn.ac.uk.
nomination must be made with the
consent of the nominee.
www.genetics.org.uk . 13GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS
14
Sir Kenneth Mather Memorial Prize
T he Sir Kenneth Mather
Memorial Prize of £150
rewards a BSc, MSc or PhD
The prize is awarded annually
and pertains to a project report,
dissertation or thesis submitted
Call for Nominations
Nominations for the 2018/19 award
student of any UK University during the academic year in should be submitted to The Genetics
or Research Institution who has question. The winner will be Society electronically via the
shown outstanding performance invited to present their work, website, before November 26th, 2019.
in the area of quantitative or usually the at a Genetics Society
population genetics. sponsored “Pop Group” meeting. To be eligible for nomination, as a
condition of their course, theses/
dissertations/project reports are
required to be submitted by the
student to the nominating University
or Institution between 1st September
2018 and 31st August 2019.
Life Membership in
the Genetics Society
T he Genetics Society is keen to support
members and those willing to continue to
contribute to the field of Genetics once retired.
Have you reached the age of retirement (65),
but wish to continue with your involvement
in the Society? If so, and you are a full,
current member of the Genetics Society, then
you are eligible to become a Life Member.
Life members remain eligible to vote in the
Society’s AGM and continue to receive Society
notices, but will not be required to pay further
subscriptions.
Recipients of the Mendel Medal and the
Genetics Society Medal will also be offered
Life Membership. If you would like to continue
your contribution and links with the Society,
please contact The Genetics Society Office
(theteam@genetics.org.uk).
14 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 80GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS
15
Local Ambassadors
The Local Ambassadors act as key liaisons between the membership and the Society’s Office and
Committee, helping to recruit new members, publicising the Society’s scientific meetings and other
activities, and providing feedback from the membership on matters of professional concern.
As an ambassador you will receive
lots of support from the Genetics
Society, including supplies of
promotional materials and loan of
pop-up banners.
The Society normally appoints
only one local ambassador
per company, institution or
department, but exceptions
can be made when there are
semi-autonomous sub-divisions
containing a substantial number
of members or potential members.
We are currently actively
seeking Ambassadors for Ascot
and Silwood (Imperial College
London), Cambridge University’s
Genetics Department, and Royal
Botanic Garden (Kew, London).
If you would like to become a
Genetics Society Ambassador,
The tasks of the Genetics Society • attending ad hoc national, or if existing Ambassadors wish
Ambassador are not onerous and travel expenses paid, “get to update their contact details,
include: togethers” to meet the please contact the Honorary
committee and network with Secretary, Jonathan Pettitt, by
Recruiting new members by: other local ambassadors e-mail at j.pettitt@abdn.ac.uk.
• targeting new student intakes • providing feedback from the
• alerting your department/ membership about Genetics
institution/university to Society activities
deadlines for grants available • helping organise local events
to researchers such as socials etc
Promoting the society by: • assisting the Membership
• publicise Genetics Society Secretary in keeping an
meetings and other events (e.g. accurate log of which members
putting up posters or by word have moved on and to where
of mouth)
• manning stands at relevant
local events
www.genetics.org.uk . 15GENETICS SOCIETY BUSINESS
16
Local ambassador Location Institute
Professor Anne Donaldson Aberdeen University of Aberdeen
Dr Dylan Wyn Aberystwyth Aberystwyth University
VACANT Ascot Imperial College London (Ascot and Silwood)
Dr Alexander Papadopulos Bangor University of Bangor
Dr Araxi Urrutia Bath University of Bath
Dr Declan McKenna Belfast University of Ulster, Belfast
Dr Lindsey Leach Birmingham University of Birmingham
Dr Charlotte Rutledge Birmingham University of Birmingham
Dr Felicity Z Watts Brighton University of Sussex
Professor Patricia Kuwabara Bristol University of Bristol (SOMs)
Dr Howard Baylis Cambridge University of Cambridge (Dept of Zoology)
Dr Ian Henderson Cambridge University of Cambridge (Dept of Plant Sciences)
Dr Bénédicte Sanson Cambridge University of Cambridge (Dept Phys, Dev, Neuro)
VACANT Cambridge Sainsbury Laboratory
Dr Simon Harvey Canterbury Canterbury Christ Church University
Dr Timothy Bowen Cardiff University of Wales College of Medicine
Dr William Davies Cardiff Cardiff University
Dr Jose Gutierrez-Marcos Coventry University of Warwick
VACANT Dublin University of Dublin
Professor Michael JR Stark Dundee University of Dundee
Professor Ian Jackson Edinburgh MRC Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh
Dr Doug Vernimmen Edinburgh Roslin Institute, Edinburgh
Dr Antonio Marco Essex University of Essex
Dr Sarah Flanagan Exeter University of Exeter
Dr Ben Longdon Exeter University of Exeter
Dr Iain Johnstone Glasgow University of Glasgow
Dr Kevin O'Dell Glasgow University of Glasgow
Dr Fiona Green Guildford University of Surrey
Dr Paul Potter Harwell MRC Harwell
Dr Cristina Ariani Hinxton Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
Dr David Lunt Hull University of Hull
Professor Michael F Tuite Kent University of Kent
Dr Andrew Peel Leeds University of Leeds, School of Biology
Dr Ed Hollox Leicester University of Leicester
Dr Peter Glen Walley Liverpool University of Liverpool
Dr Craig Wilding Liverpool Liverpool John Moores University
Dr Michalis Barkoulas London Imperial College London (South Kensington)
Alex Blakemore London Imperial College London (Hammersmith)
Professor E M C Fisher London UCL Institute of Neurology
Professor Simon Hughes London King's College London
Dr Yalda Jamshidi London St George's Hospital Medical School
Dr Francesca Mackenzie London UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
Professor Richard A Nichols London Queen Mary and Westfield College
Professor Andrew Pomiankowski London UCL Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment
Dr Claire Russell London Royal Veterinary College
Prof. Harald Schneider London The Natural History Museum
Dr James Turner London Crick Institute
Dr Emanuela Volpi London University of Westminster
VACANT London Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Miss Rebecca Collier Manchester University of Manchester
Dr Catherine Walton Manchester University of Manchester
Dr Kirsten Wolff Newcastle University of Newcastle
Dr Tracey Chapman Norwich University of East Anglia
Professor Enrico Coen Norwich John Innes Institute
Professor John Brookfield Nottingham University of Nottingham (University Park Campus)
Dr Richard Emes Nottingham University of Nottingham (Sutton Bonnington Campus)
Dr Paul Ashton Ormskirk Edge Hill University
Professor Liam Dolan Oxford University of Oxford (Plant Sciences)
Professor Jonathan Hodgkin Oxford University of Oxford (Biochemistry)
Dr Ravinder Kanda Oxford Oxford Brookes University
Professor Andrew O M Wilkie Oxford University of Oxford (John Radcliffe Hosp)
Dr Mairi Knight Plymouth University of Plymouth
Dr Louise Johnson Reading University of Reading
Dr Jon Slate Sheffield University of Sheffield
Dr Mark Chapman Southampton University of Southampton
Professor Mike Ritchie St Andrews University of St Andrews
Dr Mario Vallejo-Marin Stirling University of Stirling
Dr Lewis Bingle Sunderland University of Sunderland
Dr Claire Morgan Swansea Swansea University
Dr Sean T. Sweeney York University of York
Dr Mark Chapman Southampton University of Southampton
Prof. Mike Ritchie St Andrews University of St Andrews
Dr Mario Vallejo-Marin Stirling University of Stirling
Dr Lewis Bingle Sunderland University of Sunderland
Dr Claire Morgan Swansea Swansea University
Dr Sean Sweeney York University of York17 OBITUARIES
Jeff Gale
I t is with sadness we learnt
of the death of population
geneticist Jeff Gale at the age of
Jeffery Samuel Gale was born in
Stamford Hill, in London, in 1929,
to Blossom and Joseph Galinski
of Junctions under RA Fisher.
He was the last PhD student
Fisher formally supervised. By
89 after a long illness. Fourteen but his surname was changed to all accounts he and Fisher got
years ago, he succumbed to Gale in 1945. Jeff graduated in on well. Jeff told how he was
vascular dementia, and over Natural Sciences at Cambridge once trying to impress a girl by
the years his wonderful mind in 1956 with first class honours showing her around the genetics
gradually failed him. after which he studied the Theory department mouse laboratory
A common but individually private memory for many of us who
remember Jeff is his chain smoking of untipped Gauloises in his office
while patiently deriving and explaining statistical and genetics theory
from first principles.
www.genetics.org.uk . 17OBITUARIES
18
when he was disturbed by Jeff’s principal academic legacy his office while patiently deriving
Fisher. The girl knew of Fisher’s is his two books on population and explaining statistical and
reputation but no genetics. genetics, both still available. genetics theory from first
Fisher threw Jeff some easy The first, “Population Genetics” principles. He would write proofs
questions and feigned impression is an undergraduate text. The down in a neat rounded hand
at the profundity of the answers. second, “Theoretical Population in blue ink. If he thought there
Whether this helped Jeff’s cause Genetics”, is a weightier and were too many crossings-out, he
is unknown but illustrates their more advanced text. Reading both would then write out a fair copy.
relationship. books brings back memories of These have been preserved and
Jeff; in addition to the subject treasured by several grateful
Jeff subsequently devoted much matter they show his erudition recipients.
of his life to explaining Fisher’s and breadth of knowledge across
work to the uninitiated. the spectrum of both science and Anyone who met Jeff realised
arts. The books are peppered with he was a madly brilliant and
Following Cambridge, Jeff held brilliantly mad polymath. Words,
a position for three years in quotations and jokes. Written
in a pre-internet age, one knows both written and spoken, along
Glasgow Genetics Department, with mathematics, were at the
headed by Guido Pontecorvo. The that Jeff had memorised these
from his reading or had been able very heart of his character
bulk of Jeff’s academic career and Jeff had a sparkling
however, between 1961 and 1989, to look them up in his extensive
home library. An example mind. There are too many
was at Birmingham, first in the anecdotes surrounding his time
ARC Unit of Biometrical Genetics in “Theoretical Populations
Genetics” is a discussion of a in Birmingham to give here.
then in the Genetics Department, He once recited all the Roman
initially with Kenneth Mather cricketer who complains that
the groundsman failed to take Emperors in chronological order
as head of department, followed in response to a challenge from
by John Jinks. Jeff flourished into account the curvature of the
earth in rolling the pitch, given in Jinks. He could quote poetry
at Birmingham, with his own and recite lewd songs in Latin.
experimental work in the the context of justifying the use
of simple models. He seemed to know something
ecological and population about everything. His death
genetics of Papaver dubium Another is an introductory represents the end of an era in
and wider interests and parable on selection and drift by which universities could accept
research in quantitative and considering the fate of a drunk brilliant eccentrics for what they
population genetics. He will be leaving a bar and staggering gave to students and colleagues
best remembered however, as a towards home or a pond with in intellectual challenge and
teacher; to a modest number of varying probabilities and tutorage.
his own PhD students and to a distances between bar and final
much larger number of students, destinations. Thank you to Professor Ian
post docs, other colleagues and Mackay (University of Edinburgh)
members of staff. All benefited A common but individually for contributing this obituary.
from his patience, sense of private memory for many of us
humour, and lucid exposition of who remember Jeff is his chain
statistical and genetics theory. smoking of untipped Gauloises in
His death represents the end of an era in which universities could accept
brilliant eccentrics for what they gave to students and colleagues in
intellectual challenge and tutorage.
18 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 8019 FEATURES
In this edition of the Newsletter, we have three feature pieces. The first feature looks at how scientific evidence was
fed into the ethical debate which surrounded mitochondrial donation (a technique often attributed the misnomer,
“three person babies”). We commissioned Kat Arney to interview Dr Andy Greenfield, who sat on the HEFA panel
at the time, to gain his insight on the process. The second feature is part of an extended series designed to promote
each of our Sectional Interest Groups in turn, to provide our membership with a more detailed overview of what
these meetings are like, and encourage attendance. This issue is focussing on the C. elegans group. In our third and
final feature, we highlights some of the events that are part of the centenary programme spanning 2018 and 2019.
Mitochondrial Donation: All Things Considered
‘Just because we can, doesn’t Kat: Tell me about the expert embryology, mitochondrial biology,
mean that we should’ is a phrase panel – who was involved and what molecular biology, evolutionary
that’s often used when considering challenges did you face as you biology and genetics across multiple
controversial new reproductive considered the evidence around species. And although we were all
technologies such as mitochondrial mitochondrial donation? scientific experts on the panel,
donation – a new technique that aims Andy: We recruited a number of I had to present our findings to the
to allow women whose eggs contain people with a professional interest HFEA board, which is drawn from
defective mitochondria to conceive in the topic, including scientists a broader range of backgrounds.
a genetically related child free of and clinicians. It was a real team It was challenging to present
serious disease. effort. Our evidence came from a complex scientific information in
In the UK, research and treatments wide range of sources – written an accessible and impartial way
using human embryos are regulated points of view, published data and without losing significant details
by the Human Fertilisation and manuscripts in press, interviews or imposing my own personal
Embryology Authority (HFEA). In and more. interpretation and values on it.
2016, the HFEA recommended that We interviewed scientists What were the key issues that came
mitochondrial donation ‘can be throughout the world who were up?
used cautiously for risk reduction actively researching the techniques
treatments in certain cases where We were tasked with looking at
and considered evidence from whether mitochondrial donation
alternative treatments would be of representatives of funding agencies,
little or no benefit to mothers at risk techniques were safe and effective.
professional bodies and patient Obviously, that’s very hard to do
of passing mitochondrial disease representatives [www.hfea.gov.
onto their children’, based on the for a technique that has never been
uk/media/2611/fourth_scientific_ tried in humans in the clinic, so we
cumulative findings of four expert review_mitochondria_2016.pdf].
scientific panels convened over had to consider all the preclinical
several years to assess the safety and It was tough because we were research that had been done
efficacy of the techniques. dealing with issues across many and weigh up the risks against
scientific fields and disciplines, potential benefits. Even though
Two of these panels were chaired by straddling developmental biology, we were focused on the scientific
Dr Andy Greenfield, a programme assisted reproduction, clinical questions, it was impossible to
leader in developmental genetics at
the MRC Harwell Institute.
Kat Arney spoke to him to find out
We recruited a number of people with
how he and his colleagues came to a professional interest in the topic,
their conclusions, and why it’s so
important that scientists take part
including scientists and clinicians.
in this kind of decision-making that It was a real team effort.
informs policy.
www.genetics.org.uk . 19FEATURES
20
Another key concern was whether anyone has the right to a
genetically-related child. It’s a deeply held human desire, yet are
the risks and costs justified for such a small number of families,
given that there are other options such as egg donation, adoption or
remaining child-free? But minorities are extremely important – how
we deal with these rare cases tells us a lot about the quality of our
society, our humanity and the things we value.
ignore the wider ethical and social No amount of preclinical data will enough is not a purely scientific
implications of the technology, allow you to be completely sure process. It was unlikely we would
since the two are intertwined. that an intervention is safe when keep everybody happy with our
For example, it’s not ethical to it’s first used in humans, so ‘Is it conclusion.
offer a treatment that isn’t safe or safe enough?’ is probably the better What’s the current situation with
reliable. Then there are complex question. mitochondrial donation in the
issues around what it means to be There’s also the question of how clinic?
a parent. Is a mitochondrial donor much preclinical data do you need.
a ‘third’ parent, or is there more Once the HFEA expert panel had
How many experiments is enough? recommended that the technique
to parenthood than providing a Do you want to be 95 per cent sure?
small amount of mitochondrial should be pursued, it still had to be
99 or 99.9 per cent sure? And can agreed by a vote in Parliament that
DNA? Mitochondrial donations are you justify using all the animals and
anonymous at the moment, but that altered the Act governing treatment.
human embryos that it will take to Subsequently, the HFEA agreed a
could change in the future – as it get to that higher level of certainty?
did for sperm donors – so what does regulatory mechanism that involved
We could have asked researchers licensing the clinic in Newcastle to
that mean for women who choose to to carry on with lab work for 10, 20,
donate eggs for these techniques? perform the technique.
30 years or more, but at some point
Another key concern was you just have to actually do it for the Newcastle is currently the only UK
whether anyone has the right to first time in humans. clinic that has demonstrated its
a genetically-related child. It’s a competence in using the technique,
Also, the approval process had a central component of this
deeply held human desire, yet are already taken the best part of 13
the risks and costs justified for such regulation that seeks to protect
years, which some people saw as patients. In addition, permission
a small number of families, given an unacceptable delay in bringing
that there are other options such as must be sought from the HFEA for
forward a potentially beneficial each individual woman seeking
egg donation, adoption or remaining treatment: ‘therapy delayed is
child-free? But minorities are treatment, on a case by case basis.
therapy denied’, as some have This approach may seem onerous,
extremely important – how we deal said. Every year that passes means
with these rare cases tells us a lot but mitochondrial donation is
that there are people missing out arguably the first human germline
about the quality of our society, our on the chance to try to conceive
humanity and the things we value. intervention to be made lawful in
using this technique and giving history, so it’s appropriate that
The panel recommended cautious birth to children affected by this there should be some hoops to jump
approval for mitochondrial appalling group of diseases, which through for any clinic wishing
donation to go ahead in the UK – in itself is an ethical consideration. to offer it! Such regulation is
how did you decide that it was safe? Deciding when enough research is important in securing public trust.
20 . GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS . ISSUE 80FEATURES
21
Treatments are ongoing here in the I believe we need to continue to talk exist in a political sphere and
UK, in Newcastle, but there have about these technologies in as many our freedoms can be taken away,
been no live births so far (to my different formats and to as many including the freedom to do certain
knowledge). However, in 2016 there different audiences as possible, types of scientific research, so we
was a report of a birth following so that we’re not paralysed by the have to make the case for it. Over
mitochondrial donation in Mexico, complexity – scientific and ethical and over.
which generated a vast amount - and end up relying on simplistic We have to discuss these novel
of commentary and controversy. tropes; but this is not an easy and emerging technologies with
I think it would be preferable if thing to achieve. The underlying policymakers and the public
we all could move together on science of mitochondrial donation partly by focussing on how they
this internationally, but cultural is fiendishly hard to understand. It’s address people’s needs and societal
diversity plays a very large role, not just about moving mitochondrial challenges more broadly. We
particularly in this area. Even DNA from here to there – analogies also have to listen to concerns
within Europe there are varying about ‘swapping the batteries’ of the and take them seriously. That’s
attitudes towards human embryo cell do a disservice to the complexity what regulatory processes and
research and how comfortable of the process. consultations are all about – they
people are with this kind of Why should scientists get involved are part of a process of constructive
intervention. I wouldn’t want to see in consultation processes like this? dialogue, of coping with diversity of
innovation grind to a halt on the opinion by generating a framework
basis that a technique is unlawful Scientists shouldn’t have the final
say on whether society is ready in which people can trust that
or being misused somewhere else decisions are being made in ways
– that’s a bad argument for not for a particular technology, but
neither can we just step away and that reflect society as a whole,
pursuing well-regulated, ethical not just specific interests. And
research and clinical innovation in leave the entire decision-making
process to other people. Science scientists have to get involved. We
this country. need to keep talking about what we
and ethics go together. Knowledge
There has been quite a bit of generated by research offers a good do and why we do it, including the
coverage in the media about reason for doing it. There are many ethical and social dimensions of our
mitochondrial donation over the innovations arising from genomic research. This is about the future
years. Is it helpful? technologies that are exciting of research and innovation, so it’s
Public communication and and could potentially help many important to give your time to it.
engagement about these issues is people – or even cause harm – but
essential, but I don’t think that there’s no guarantee that we will
the public debate was particularly continue inexorably towards their
helped by simplistic media coverage introduction into the clinic, and we
about ‘three parent babies’ or talk of can’t take it for granted that the
the slippery slope towards ‘designer’ future will unfold in a predictable
children. fashion. Science and scientists
Scientists shouldn’t have the final say on whether society is ready for
a particular technology, but neither can we just step away and leave
the entire decision-making process to other people.
www.genetics.org.uk . 21You can also read
