Nine courses already established for Public Health Genetics

Melissa Austin recently made a presentation on the Public Health Genetics program at a Department of Epidemiology seminar. Photo by Jordan Rehm

As society begins to confront the implications of the on-going explosion in knowledge about human genetics and its potential to help us understand disease and promote health, people trained to apply that knowledge to public health questions are increasingly in demand. But because the knowledge is so new, very few people have training that qualifies them as experts in addressing the questions and conflicts coming up.

The UW’s new interdisciplinary program in “Public Health Genetics in the Context of Law, Ethics and Policy,” funded by the University Initiatives Fund, aims to be a model in filling this gap. It is the nation’s first degree-granting program of its kind.

“We are really leading a national wave of interest in this area,” says Melissa Austin, professor of epidemiology and director of the new program. On the national level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has just established an Office of Genetics and Disease Prevention. Several other major universities are setting up programs or offering some courses.

Current public discussion of questions such as screening for newly identified breast cancer genes, gene patents, and the ethical limits of cloning has increased interest in the field.

At the UW, Austin and Gil Omenn, former dean of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, began working on the idea of a public health genetics program about two years ago. The basic plans were in place when the University Initiatives Fund was established and proposals were solicited.

“The UIF funding gave our effort a tremendous boost,” Austin says, “and enabled us to move a lot faster than we had hoped. I’m sure we would have developed a program in time, but the funding to actually contribute to faculty salaries has been critical.”

Schools in addition to public health contributing to the public health genetics program include the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Law, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, and Graduate School of Public Affairs.

Austin also noted that all of the units and faculty members collaborating on the program have contributed resources and enthusiasm. “I’ve been most impressed by the way people from so many different fields have brought their energies to this effort, so that it’s become a real collaboration, not just a list of participants.”

As a result, just a year after the program became one of eight UIF projects approved for funding, the first students have been admitted to the master’s in public health (MPH) degree program and nine courses have been set up and received all administrative approvals. The first two courses are being taught this Spring Quarter, and a regular seminar is now offered.

The program plans to offer an master of science degree in genetic epidemiology and a Ph.D. in public health genetics. These degree programs are now in development, with a goal of admitting students for Autumn Quarter of 1999.

In addition, a graduate certificate is being offered for students committed to another graduate degree program who would like some training in public health genetics.

Funds to hire three new faculty members, all with joint tenure track appointments, were included in the initiative. Recruitment is already under way for two of these—one a joint appointment in health services and law; the other in biostatistics and molecular biotechnology.

A component to address collaborative research and public education needs will fund pilot projects to begin in the spring of 1999. Partners in this effort include the Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health, the Washington State Department of Health, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Austin said future efforts will include working with the Washington State Genetics Education Plan, an initiative of the State Health Department, to improve general knowledge about public health genetics issues.

A nationwide survey of potential employers has also been undertaken by a consortium of universities, led by the UW, and the CDC to identify employment opportunities for graduates in the field.

Pat Kuszler, an associate professor of law who earned an M.D. and practiced medicine for 10 years before she entered law school, is a member of the initiative’s Academic Committee and the core group that proposed the initiative.

“The major point with this program,” she said, “is that it offers students a coordinated, cohesive package of courses, rather than just “add-ons” here and there. As we sort out how to cope with using these new technologies in our society, we begin to go far beyond what’s included in a science program. I’m very interested in these issues and excited about this program.”

Kuszler also said that some of the logistical and administrative issues that come up for interdisciplinary programs have been difficult to resolve. “I’m hoping we will be able to address some of these logistical issues,” she said, “so that it’s easier to organize interdisciplinary efforts.”

“Despite this,” Austin said, “we’ve been able to make such great progress because of the tremendous cooperation we’ve had from administrators and faculty. Many people have gone out of their way to accommodate a program that doesn’t fit the traditional structures.”

For more information on the Public Health Genetics Program, call the office at 616-9286 or see the Website at http://weber.u.washington.edu/~phgen ¶

Claire Dietz