Salon XLVII – To GEDMatch a Killer:
Law enforcement us of consumer genetic databases
(1/17/19)
Handout
Last April, law enforcement apprehended a suspect in the Golden State Killer cold case. This was achieved through the use of an online genetic genealogy database (GEDMatch) to perform familial DNA matching. Subsequently, over a dozen cold cases have been solved using similar approaches. However, the apparent success of familial DNA matching as a law-enforcement tool raises questions about privacy, “ownership” of genetic information, and familial/group consent. Please join us in discussing pros and cons of this new investigative approach, its future implications in the context of a growing consumer genetics market, and possible solutions for moving forward.
Salon XLVIII – Movie Night:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
(2/21/19)
Handout
Last April, law enforcement apprehended a suspect in the Golden State Killer cold case. This was achieved through the use of an online genetic genealogy database (GEDMatch) to perform familial DNA matching. Subsequently, over a dozen cold cases have been solved using similar approaches. However, the apparent success of familial DNA matching as a law-enforcement tool raises questions about privacy, “ownership” of genetic information, and familial/group consent. Please join us in discussing pros and cons of this new investigative approach, its future implications in the context of a growing consumer genetics market, and possible solutions for moving forward.
Salon XLIX – The CRISPR Baby Controversy
(3/14/19)
Handout
In November 2018, Dr. He Jiankui announced the first human babies born with germline gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9. His research and actions have been met with widespread criticism from the scientific community and beyond. Join us as we discuss the CRISPR baby controversy and similar case studies to unpack the politics, policy, and philosophy surrounding human germline gene editing.
Salons L-LIV – Salon Book Club
Tuesday February 12 – Darwin day! – Chapters 1-4
Tuesday February 26 – Chapters 5-7
Tuesday March 19 – Chapters 8-10
Tuesday April 9 – Chapters 11-12
Tuesday April 16 — Chapters 13-14
Tuesday April 30 – conclusion and celebration
Salon LV – Why are white supremacists reading my bioRxiv preprints?
(4/25/19)
Handout
Since its inception, the field of genomics has grappled with its potential for misuse as a tool of oppression and dehumanization. Recently, there has been a resurgence of groups using discredited or distorted genetics research to bolster claims of white supremacy, igniting widespread conversations about scientists’ responsibilities for denouncing such claims. In this salon, we will discuss the ever-evolving tropes and tactics used to misappropriate genomics research for racist ideologies, evaluate the scientific community’s response, and share ideas for how we may address these issues more effectively.
Salon LVI – Scientific metaphors:
gendered rhetoric in molecular reproduction
(5/1/19)
Handout
Science attempts to describe the world in objective terms based on observable data. However, culture can influence the scientific process and data interpretation. The use of metaphors in science, while useful for explaining complex concepts, can reveal insidious bias and potentially impact the course of scientific investigation and reinforce cultural biases. In a 1991 piece, anthropologist Emily Martin describes gendered rhetoric used by scientists to describe the process of fertilization. Join us for a discussion on this piece and on the broader topic of metaphor use in science.
Salon LVII – Paint your PhD
(5/23/19)
Join the Genomics Salon for an evening of art and science as we paint our PhDs! Take a break from the bench to show off the broad strokes of your research. Paints and canvas will be provided. Space is limited, so please RSVP to mbtaylor[at]uw.edu.
Salon LVIII – Kelly Eaton’s “Funeral Sentences for Damaged Cells”
(5/30/19)
“Funeral Sentences for Damaged Cells” is a multi-movement piece written by Dr. Kaley Eaton, Director of Music Technology at Cornish College of the Arts. This piece is inspired by genetic inheritance and inherited trauma. The description of the work is below. Please join us for a live performance of this work followed by a brief discussion.
FUNERAL SENTENCES FOR DAMAGED CELLS by Kaley Lane Eaton is a multi-movement work for Emily Thorner, ultra-soprano, and chamber music ensemble Kin of the Moon that tells the story of Kaley’s family’s journey through multiple generational traumas and early death from inherited diseases exacerbated by these traumas, as well as Kaley’s own coping with her genetic reality as a young person. The birth of her great-great-aunt in an insane asylum; the orphaning of her great- grandparents; tumultuous migration to the American West; her grandfather’s tragic experience in a concentration camp; her mother’s untimely death from cancer; and the current situation of the living generations of her family, caught in a limbo on this continent they did not rightfully inherit, faced with the disintegration of the American dream. Through this work, we explore how musical ideas and the singing voice can be a metaphor for genetic transmission of trauma and disease; we also contemplate the grief that comes not only from losing family too early, but from realizing your own potential to have a similar fate.
Summer 2019 Workshop
This summer, the Genomics Salon will be hosting a series of workshops in which trainees work together to develop skills in science writing for a general audience. Specifically, each participant will work towards submitting an article proposal to the Conversation on a topic of their choice. The Conversation is a not-for-profit media outlet that publishes content from academics and researchers. Articles in the Conversation are published under a Creative Commons license and can be reblogged by other outlets.
Over the course of the workshops, participants will create an article proposal which they may submit to the Conversation. During each session, students will work together to discuss potential article topics and critique each other’s work. Below is a brief description of each session of the workshop.
Attending each session is not required, but is encouraged.
We look forward to working with you!
Jolie Carlisle, Michael Goldberg, Dr. Bryce Taylor
Session 1: Article Discussion/Proposal Format (June 27th, Foege S-110 @530)
Ian Haydon, an experienced science writer for the Institute of Protein Design, will tell us about his experiences writing for the Conversation and how they have helped develop his career. Attendees will discuss an article from the Conversation as a group. Workshop leaders will discuss the article proposal format. Remaining time will be spent discussing topic choices.
Session 2: Critique of Proposal Outlines (July 11th, Foege S-110 @530)
Attendees will bring an outline/early draft of their proposals for their article. Groups will be formed to give feedback on outlines and development of topic.
Session 3: Critique of Proposal Drafts (July 25th, Foege S-040 @530)
Attendees will bring in a draft of their article proposal and article outline for critique.
Session 4: Critique of Article Outlines/Early Drafts (August 8th, Foege S-110 @530)
We will go over what we have written so far, be that a detailed outline or early draft. By the end of this session, each participant will have a proposal ready for submission.