ELSI Core Ethical, Legal and Social Implications Melissa Austin, Director Wylie Burke, Deputy Direct

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Institute for Public Health GeneticsA
University Initiatives Fund Program
http//depts.washington.edu/phgen
Soul Catcher Northwest Coast Indian symbol of
physical and mental well being.
Artist Marvin Oliver
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What is Public Health Genetics?
The application of advances in human genetics and
genomic sciences to improve public health and
prevent disease.
UW Institute for Public Health Genetics
Mission To provide broad, multidisciplinary
training for future public health professionals,
to facilitate research in public health genetics,
and to serve as a resource for continuing
professional education.
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Core Faculty in Public Health Genetics
Public Health Sciences
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environ Occup H
ealth Sciences,
Health Services, Pathobiology
Washington State Dept of Health
Dept of Medical History and Ethics (Medicine)
Evans School of Public Affairs
School of Law
Dept of Anthropology (Arts Sciences)
School of Pharmacy
School of Nursing
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Institute for Public Health Genetics
Multidisciplinary Academic Program

• Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree Track
  (1998)
  
• Graduate Certificate Program (1998)
• M.S. Degree Track in Genetic Epidemiology (2003)
• Ph.D. program in Public Health Genetics (2003)

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Public Health Genetics Competencies
Austin et. al., Community Genetics, 2001
1. Apply knowledge of inheritance, including
basic cellular and molecular mechanisms, to
understand a variety of rare and common health
conditions. 2. Apply epidemiological and statist
ical approaches to the study of risk factors and
diseases with a genetic component.
3. Identify interactions among genes,
environmental factors and behaviors.
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Public Health Genetics Competencies (cont)
4. Understand how genetic principles/technologies
apply to diagnosis, screening, and interventions
for disease prevention and health promotion
programs. 5. Incorporate genetic information int
o assessment, policy development, and assurance
activities. 6. Apply methods to address ethical,
legal, social and financial implications of the
use of genetic principles/technologies in public
health, including protecting privacy and
autonomy, and preventing discrimination.
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Training in Public Health Genetics
Core Knowledge Areas
A. Genomics in Public Health
Fundamental Areas of Study
B. Implications of Genetics for Society
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Public Health Genetics Courses

• MPH Core Courses
• Genetic Epidemiology
• Basic Concepts in Pharmacogenetics and
  Toxicogenomics
  
• Legal, Ethical and Social Issues in Public Health
  Genetics
  
• Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Public Health
  Genetics
  
• Ethical Frameworks of Public Health Genetics
• Genetics and the Law

• Ph.D. courses
• Economic and Policy Issues for Genetic
  Technologies and Services
  
• Genetic Discovery in Medicine and Public Health
• Social and Behavioral Research Methods in Public
  Health Genetics

Electives
Interactive Seminar Series
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UW Institute for Public Health Genetics
Collaborations

• CDC-funded UW Center for Genomics and Public
  Health
  
• Ethical, Legal and Social Implications Core of
  the UW Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental
  Health

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A vision of the future of genomics research
A blueprint for the genomic era
Collins, Green, Guttmacher, Guyer, on behalf
of NHGRI Nature 422 835-847 (April), 2003
Themes (floors), cross-cutting elements, Gra
nd Challenges