Unwrapping the Helix: The Human Genome Project

What is the Human Genome Project? Who will own the patent to the genes and what are the legal implications? What are the ethical and social considerations of such a project?

This important forum explained the Human Genome Project, a global initiative to map and sequence the human genome. The human genome comprises 3 billion base pairs of DNA that together contain the information for approximately 100,000 genes which determine nearly every aspect of our bodies including what we look like and how our system fights infection. Three Melbourne-based experts addressed the issues relating to the current research being undertaken in this international project.

This Lecture was held in conjunction with National Science Week 3-10 May 2000.

Speakers
Dr Susan Forrest
Head of Gene Discovery, Murdoch Institute.

Dr Susan Forrest completed her BScHons degree at Melbourne University and was awarded a scholarship to study for her DPhil at Oxford University. Her research resulted in the successful isolation of the dystrophin gene, mutations in which cause dystrophy. She returned to the Murdoch Institute in 1988 and undertook a two year postdoctoral fellowship working on mutation detection protocols. Dr Forrest was employed as the scientist in charge of the DNA Diagnostic laboratory where a number of genetic tests are performed in Victoria. In 1998, Sue returned to full time research and now heads up the Gene Discovery Group at Murdoch Institute which is involved with the identification of genes for diseases and traits as diverse as movement disorders, behavioural problems, eye diseases and eczema.

Associate Professor Julian Savulescu
Director of Ethics Unit, Murdoch Institute

Associate Professor Julian Savulescu is Director of the Ethics Unit at the Murdoch Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. The Unit is devoted to research, education and stimulating open public discussion about the ethical implications of the new gentics. He is also Director of the Bioethics Program at the Centre for the Study of Health and Society at the University of Melbourne. The Bioethics Program provides undergraduate and post-graduate teaching in medical and applied ethics. He is qualified in medicine, bioethics and analytic philosophy. Julian has undertaken post-doctoral research on time and reasons for action at the University of Oxford and worked as Clinical Ethicist at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospital. He is Chair of the Department of Human Services Research Ethics Committee, and is a member of the Ethics Advisory Committe, The Cooperative Research Centre for Discovery of Genes for Common Human Diseases, and a number of other Research and Clinical Ethics Committees in Melbourne.

Associate Professor Loane Skene
Law School and Council Chambers, University of Melbourne

Loane Skene is Associate Professor and Reader, and Director of Studies, Health and Medical Law, in the Faculty of Law at The University of Melbourne; and an Adjunct Associate Professor and Reader in the Centre for the Study of Health and Society, in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Melbourne. She holds the degrees of Bachelor of Laws with Honours from The University of Melbourne (1970) and Master of Laws from Monash University (1984). She is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Professor Skene spent 10 years with the Victorian Law Reform Commission, where she was Principal Research Officer for its projects on Genetic Manipulation and Informed Decisions about Medical Procedures. Loane is a member of several major policy development committees in Australia, including the national Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee (which oversees the release of new organisms into the environment); the National Health and Medical Research Council's Gene Therapy Research Advisory Panel (which reviews protocols to undertake human trials involving gene therapy techniques) and Genetic Registers Committee; and the Genetics Ethics Committee of the Victorian Anti-Cancer Council which has developed draft ethical guidelines for genetic services.

Chair
RobynWilliams
ABC Radio National Science Show