Gene Genies

Dead men may well tell no tales, but dead birds won’t shut up. In this talk we will explore how forensic genetic techniques can be used in ornithology to resolve cold, and sometimes not so cold, cases about the identification and taxonomy of those unfortunate birds that were shot for science, often over 100 years ago. We will look at the sorts of information that can be recovered and, in the midst of a biodiversity crisis, why we even care.

Diagnosing rare diseases can take years involving many hospital visits, costly invasive tests, misdiagnoses, and shattered hopes. With most remaining undiagnosed, increasing access to genetic diagnosis is key in UK Rare Disease policy.
Traditional genetic testing examines DNA only from relevant genes whereas genome sequencing tests all of a person’s DNA, finding variation that isn’t useful in healthcare. Zosia, who leads the NHS Scotland genomes project, will discuss benefits and difficulties of genome testing and will seek your views on the value of genome tests in different circumstances.

Millions of years before humans harnessed the power of fermentation, a genetic switch appeared in our evolutionary ancestors. This switch has been retained in our genome and seems to drive a subconscious predisposition to consuming alcohol but is this switch merely a convenient excuse for a tipple or are there other more serious implications?