LATEST NEWS FROM GIG

Find out what is happening in the world of genetics including: New genetic researches, Genetic conferences, Supporting aid activities, The latest genetic press releases and more

You can also get the latest genetic news at our live Google news page > Latest News on Genetics

By making your online purchases through our WEBSHOP The Genetic Interest Group will receive a commission on every purchase made.

  Buying online will help generate funds for our charitable organisation and not cost the buyer a penny as retailers donate a percentage of their profit.

AGM and Annual Conference
Choices & Challenges of reproductive health
6th October 2008
Venue: 20 Cavendish Square London W1G 0RN
CPD APPROVED: 6 credits

The 9th EMBL/EMBO Science & Society conference:
Systems and Synthetic Biology - Scientific and Social Implications
7-8 November 2008 at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany
The Full programme is now available on the website:
http://www.embl.org/sciencesociety/conference2008
Register now on-line:
http://www.parthen-impact.com/eventure/welcome.do?type=participant&congress=94_SNS08

GIG Summer Newsletter
Click here to download the pdf!

SPECIALISED HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE CONFERENCE ON HIGH COST TREATMENTS
supported by the GENETIC INTEREST GROUP and the ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS
DATE: Tuesday18 November 2008, 09:30hrs to 16:45hrs
VENUE: The Royal Society of Arts (RSA), 8 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6EZ

The ABI (Association of British Insurers) has today announced that the
moratorium enabling consumers to take out substantial amounts of insurance
without having to disclose adverse results of predictive genetic tests has
been extended to 2014.
Click on the URL to view the Document.
http://www.abi.org.uk/load.asp?ID=16279&a=new&i=14871

NEW BOOKLET and GLOSSARY, with some of the questions that are frequently asked by those thinking about joining a clinical trial. It aims to provide clear information in a straight forward way so that patients and their families can make informed decisions about taking part in a clinical trial if the opportunity arises. This is the result of a collaboration between the European Genetic Alliances Network (EGAN) and Roche.

Coming soon:
Scottish patient virtual panel and online forum. 
Email claire@gig.org.uk for more information or to sign up!

GIG writes to MPs: keep current abortion time limit
Most genetic conditions are only apparent at the 20 week scan
Time limit reduction could lead to increase abortions
Families will be forced into a more painful decision

Cheltenham Science Festival
4 - 8 June: a five day celebration of science, engineering and the arts

Download GIG's three cartoon leaflets on HFE Bill:
Human Admixed Embyos Leaflet
PGD Leaflet
Saviour Sibling Leaflet
Here the updated information on the HFE Second Reading (12th May)

Interested in a career in medicine, health issues, medical history, architecture or medicinal gardens?  If so, visit the Royal College of Physicians Public Open Day on Saturday 5 July 2008
The theme for the day will be "Celebrating the 60^th Anniversary of the NHS".
This will be an excellent opportunity to show how medicine has evolved since the creation of the NHS

IMPACT AWARD:
GIG is one of the winner: look at the video presented Tuesday April 19th at the Award Ceremony

Conferences organized by the Royal Society of Medicine
1. Key advances in Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Juvenile Arthritis in the adult: Presidential Lecture on 21st May 2008. 
2. Medicine and me: Lupus on 24th June.
3. Key advances in Vasculitis on 24th Sept.

UK Genetic Testing Group: launch of new website
For laboratories, NHS professionals and the public

BUPA 2008 Foundation Awards
The annual Bupa Foundation Awards, now in their 29th year, are made to healthcare and medical professionals in recognition of excellence in healthcare.
More information is available here.

Call for action!
Patient benefit and the alleviation of human suffering is our ultimate aim:
this is why we strongly support this legislation.
Please contact your MP and ask them to vote in favour of the HFE Bill

Two new job vancies at GIG!
GIG is currently advertising two Project Officer positions. These are two exciting opportunities to continue GIG's work in Insurance for families affected by genetic conditions, and in creating care networks for those diagnosed with genetic conditions.

Society for Genomics Policy and Population Health Conference 8th May 2008
This one-day conference will review scientific progress in the area of genetic susceptibility tests and consider the policy issues raised, with a particular emphasis on the regulation of consumer genetics.
Click for more information.

GIG & AMRC Letter to all MPs
GIG and the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) sent a letter to all MPs asking them to support the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill that is due to enter the House of Commons soon. A briefing paper was also attached.

Family Route Maps are launched! 
 Ahead of the launch on the 5th March at The Wellcome Trust, we are delighted to have on the GIG website the six routemaps that the project produced. The final report of this project is also available alongside a template for other patient groups to develop their own family routemap.

A Rare Day for Rare Diseases - First European Rare Disease Day is Celebrated on 29th February 2008
press release

European Commission Health & Consumer Protection Directorate General Public Consultation “Rare Diseases: Europe’s Challenges”
Genetic Interest Group's response to EU consultation on Rare Diseases.

Patients letter to Lord Darzi
This letter from GIG, Great Ormond Street Hospital and UCL Institute for Child Health calls for the removal of barriers to developing cures and treatments for life limiting conditions, which currently appear in the HFE Bill.   

 Genetic Information for Patients in 8 languages
The London IDEAS GKP Translation Project, a collaboration with the Genetic Interest Group: This project developed and delivered patient genetic information in the principal linguistic languages of the minorities of London; GIGs role in this project promoted public and user engagement with GKP and forged networks with patient support groups.  The information produced is now available to download from this website, free of charge.  Please use the link above.

A welcome boost to the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research
GIG's comments on the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills increased funding.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is now before the House of Lords. Please see below for GIG's briefing sent on 5th December to The Lords. GIG briefing.

Human Genetics Commission (HGC) - Statement on private genetic tests
The HGC has today (23rd Nov) produced a response on this subject following recent media interest.

Questions to Ask - Getting the most out of your appointment
Leaflet developed by the Department of Health through consultation with patients.  It aims to help patients to make decisions on their treatment and care in partnership with a health professional. If you would like to order copies of this flyer please contact the Department of Health on questionstoaskdh.gsi.gov.uk

What is cytoplasmic hybrid embryo research (and what isn't) and how can it benefit patients affected by genetic disorders? For more information please look at GIGs new page highlighting and explaining this issue.

Patient Information Leaflets
New leaflets developed as part of GIG's role in the Eurogentest Project are now online and available. They cover topics surrounding genetic testing, and also basic genetic inheritance patterns.

UK Genetic Testing Network (UKGTN) - A Guide to Genetic Testing in the UK
A newly produced leaflet for patients outlining how genetic tests are accessed and evaluated in the UK
To download this leaflet click on the link which takes you to the UKGTN website.

223 medical research charities and organisations write letter to the Prime Minister urging the Government to support research into currently incurable conditions.
Members of the Genetic Interest Group and the Association of Medical Research Charities were invited to sign a letter to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, following publication of the report from the Science and Technology Committee Inquiry into the Regulation of Hybrid and Chimera Embryos. The letter, also sent to Caroline Flint MP, Minister of State for Public Health and Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, is reproduced in the link above along with a full list of the 223 signatories.

GIG's Artist in Residence's page. 
Following a successful year with Sayward Morley as GIG's Artist in Residence you can view a selection of the work she undertook.