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Genomic Testing Forum

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The Genomic Testing Forum will be held concurrently with the Obstetric Medico Legal Congress on the 16th September this year providing a unique opportunity to meet two distinct, but related audience groups.

In Australia, genomic testing is experiencing a significant upward trend, with healthcare providers increasingly incorporating genetic analysis into diagnostic and treatment protocols to deliver more personalized and effective patient care.

Given the recent introduction of new rebates for essential carrier screening tests, Australia looks set for significant growth in genomic testing – particularly in reproductive genetic carrier screening. This is an enormously exciting growth space however, there are key considerations that stakeholders should be aware of.

This Forum provides an opportunity to meet with not one, but two distinct, but related audience groups.

Delegates can expect to meet experts and network not only with decision makers in genomic testing, but also with medical and legal minds engaged in obstetrics.

It will provide opportunities for discussions between genetic pathologists, genetic counsellors, clinical geneticists, neonatal specialists, medico-legal experts, insurers, private healthcare operators and many others. It’s a unique chance to work through some of the areas of concern and opportunity.

Speakers

Prof Martin Delatycki

Co-director of the Bruce Lefroy Centre at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and, Clinical Geneticist, Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS)

Prof David Amor

Clinical Geneticist, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Pamela and Lorenzo Galli Chair in the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne

Katie Battese Ellis

Genetic Counsellor FHGSA, Senior Manager Medical Affairs, Illumina

Dr Ken MacLean

Clinical Geneticist and Paediatrician, Primary Care Genetics

Ruanne Brell

Senior legal advisor, Advocacy, Education and Research, Avant

Tiffany Boughtwood

Managing Director, Australian Genomics, Member of Technical Advisory Group on Genomics (TAG-G), World Health Organisation; Director and Chair of the Scientific Strategy Committee, Childhood Dementia Initiative

Janine McIlwraith

Principal Lawyer, Margalit

Dr Lilian Downie

Clinical Geneticist, Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Mercy Perinatal

Emeritus Professor Nigel Laing AO

Preventive Genetics Group, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, University of Western Australia

Professor Christopher Barnett

Clinical Geneticist & Head, Paediatric and Reproductive, Genetics Unit, Women’s and Children’s Hospital & Statewide Clinical Genomics Lead, Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health

A/Professor Grant Blashki

GP, Better Health Network, Associate Professor, University of Melbourne, Co-Editor of Book “Genes for Life” and Advisory Group Member of RACGP Genomic Guidelines

Dr Rebekah McWhirter

Senior Lecturer, ANU College of Law

Dr Natalie Thorne

Chief Scientific Officer, Transcendomics

Megan Prictor

Senior Lecturer and Co-Director, Health, Law and Emerging Technologies (HeLEX), Melbourne Law School

Prof Jozef Gecz

Professor of Human Genetics, Adelaide Medical School

Agenda

Monday 16TH September 2024

8:50 am

DAY ONE OPENING |Opening remarks from Chair

9:00 am

OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS | GENOMIC TESTING IN AUSTRALIA
Tiffany Boughtwood, Managing Director, Australian Genomics, Member of Technical Advisory Group on Genomics (TAG-G), World Health Organisation; Director and Chair of the Scientific Strategy Committee, Childhood Dementia Initiative

9:30 am

Reproductive genetic carrier screening in Australia: A landmark in Australian medicine
Professor Christopher Barnett, Clinical Geneticist & Head, Paediatric and Reproductive, Genetics Unit, Women’s and Children’s Hospital & Statewide Clinical Genomics Lead, Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health

What is RGCS? What does it mean for Australians and why does it present such a critical opportunity?
The key factors holding us back from impactful uptake of reproductive genetic carrier screening
Where do we need to go next with carrier screening in Australia?

10:00 am

The path to a fully Government funded expanded genetic reproductive carrier screening program
Prof Martin Delatycki, Co-director of the Bruce Lefroy Centre at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and, Clinical Geneticist, Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS)

Where are we with knowledge of expanded genetic reproductive carrier screening?
What needs to happen to have a fully funded program meaning all individuals and couples who wish to have screening can do so?

10:30 am

Cerebral Palsy – The impact of genomics
Prof Jozef Gecz, Professor of Human Genetics, Adelaide Medical School

Where is the research up to?
The impact of genomics on the understanding of cerebral palsy origins
CP and its comorbidities, autism, epilepsy or learning and memory problems
Possible Medico-legal implications

10:55 am

Networking Break & Morning Tea

11:25 am

The nitty gritty - Understanding Reproductive Carrier Screening in Australia
Dr Ken MacLean, Clinical Geneticist and Paediatrician, Primary Care Genetics

Understanding the practicalities and the legal considerations
What are the opportunities?
Risk mitigation for obstetricians
Putting strategies in place
How to do it cost effectively
Once identified, what can be done?
Concerns regarding life insurance

11:50 am

What are the shortcomings of the genomic tests available?
Prof David Amor, Clinical Geneticist, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Pamela and Lorenzo Galli Chair in the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne

What are the challenges and opportunities with expanded carrier screening?
What do doctors do with all this additional information?

12:15 pm

Navigating Reproductive Carrier Screening: Empowering Informed Choices
Katie Battese Ellis, Genetic Counsellor FHGSA, Senior Manager Medical Affairs, Illumina

Enhance your understanding and provision of carrier screening
Explore the potential risks/limitations and benefits of the medicare rebated 3 gene testing vs ‘expanded’ options
Examine practice guidelines and recommendations against the Australian landscape

12:40 pm

Networking Lunch

1:40 pm

Learnings from the class action against Monash IVF
Janine McIlwraith, Principal Lawyer, Margalit

Examining the ethical issues about add-ons to IVF treatment
The realities of bringing new tech to market
Transparency in the labs
Informed consent

2:05 pm

Genomics in pregnancy and medico-legal risks - What GPs and obstetricians need to know
Ruanne Brell, Senior legal advisor, Advocacy, Education and Research, Avant

What are the key medico-legal risks?
Clinicians’ legal obligations and their source and how they apply in this context
What clinicians can do to mitigate the risks

2:30 pm

PANEL | Navigating the landscape of genomic data and privacy
Tiffany Boughtwood, Managing Director, Australian Genomics, Member of Technical Advisory Group on Genomics (TAG-G), World Health Organisation; Director and Chair of the Scientific Strategy Committee, Childhood Dementia Initiative
Dr Rebekah McWhirter, Senior Lecturer, ANU College of Law
Megan Prictor, Senior Lecturer and Co-Director, Health, Law and Emerging Technologies (HeLEX), Melbourne Law School
Dr Natalie Thorne, Chief Scientific Officer, Transcendomics

The nature of genomic information
The role of data sharing in genomic research
Privacy concerns – how can we ensure these are appropriately addressed?
Is the Australian regulatory system for data sharing in genomic research fit for purpose or is reform required?
Consent – how do you ensure you get appropriate consent for genomic testing? How does the consent need to be different?

3:15 pm

Networking Break

3:45 pm

The new frontier: prenatal genomic sequencing
Dr Lilian Downie, Clinical Geneticist, Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Mercy Perinatal

Genomic sequencing for diagnosis of rare disease in the prenatal setting
The challenges, highlighted by interesting cases
Genomic sequencing in newborn screening

4:10 pm

Carrier screening from the GP’s point of view
A/Professor Grant Blashki, GP, Better Health Network, Associate Professor, University of Melbourne, Co-Editor of Book “Genes for Life” and Advisory Group Member of RACGP Genomic Guidelines

4:35 pm

Panel | Where are we now, where are we going and how can we prepare?
Emeritus Professor Nigel Laing AO, Preventive Genetics Group, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, University of Western Australia
Prof David Amor, Clinical Geneticist, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Pamela and Lorenzo Galli Chair in the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne
A/Professor Grant Blashki, GP, Better Health Network, Associate Professor, University of Melbourne, Co-Editor of Book “Genes for Life” and Advisory Group Member of RACGP Genomic Guidelines
Professor Julie McGaughran, Clinical Geneticist & Director, Genetic Health QLD

Understanding test results – what’s been found and what do health professionals do with the information?
What’s possible with screening test results and what are the next steps?
Exploring new possibilities with carrier screening?
How can we improve the lives of people with genetic diseases?
How do we ramp up?
The tech is there – so how do we do it? Do we have enough people trained to do it at scale?

5:20 pm

Closing remarks from Chair

5:25 pm

Networking Drinks & Conference Close

Partners

Supporting Partner

Pricing

	Early Bird (until 7 August)	Full Price
1 Day Genomic Testing Forum (run concurrently with Obstetric ML Conference)	$1,095 + GST	$1,495 + GST
Virtual Pass – 1 Day Genomic Testing Forum	$995 + GST	$1,395 + GST
Streamly (12 month subscription to on-demand video content)	$150 + GST	$150 + GST

BUY A PASS

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

There are many opportunities for networking including social events such networking function, refreshment breaks and lunches, making this not just a conference… but an all encompassing industry “experience”. Don’t miss you opportunity to stand out!

Event sponsorship or exhibiting will allow your organisation to:

Build relationships with potential and existing clients
Generate leads from a high-level, targeted audience
Close sales in a more personal manner than via phone
Demonstrate your product in person
Network with the industry
Build brand awareness

To see what is on offer please contact:

Danielle Newman
Senior Business Development Manager
E: danielle.newman@informa.com
T: +61 (2) 9080 4318

Obstetric Medico-Legal Conference

The 16th Annual Obstetric Medico-Legal Conference brings together legal and medical professionals to discuss and explore the legal issues related to maternal and infant care. The conference will cover a range of topics including birth injuries and medical errors in prenatal or postnatal care.

The event provides a unique platform for legal and medical experts to share their knowledge and experiences, discuss emerging trends and best practices, and network with colleagues from across the industry. Attendees also have the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions designed to enhance their understanding of the legal and medical aspects of obstetrics care.

VISIT OBSTETRIC MEDICO LEGAL CONFERENCE WEBSITE

Event Code Of Conduct

We want everyone who comes to our events to have a great experience. This code explains our expectations and rules, which includes general good practice behaviour, and how to report anything witnessed or experienced that goes against them. Read our Event Code of Conduct here.

when & where

16 Sep 2024

Crown Conference Centre Melbourne
Level 2
Crown Promenade Melbourne
8 Whiteman Street
SOUTHBANK VIC 3006
(Queensbridge St end of the Crown Complex)
Phone: (03) 9292 6222
www.crownmelbourne.com.au

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION RATE
We have secured a special accommodation rate from $255* per room per night, room only, for conference attendees at the Crown Promenade for the nights of the 15-16 September 2024 inclusive.

To book this rate, click here.

* Room availability and rates are subject to availability and valid until 7 days prior to the event, unless sold out prior.
Book early to avoid disappointment.

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contact

Still have a question?

General Information & Registration
Customer Service
+61 02 9080 4307
info@informa.com.au

Speaking Enquiries
Irene Amo
Senior Conference Producer
+61 415038730
Irene.Amo@informa.com

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
Danielle Newman
Senior Business Development Manager
+61 02 9080 4318
Danielle.Newman@informa.com

Marketing & Media Enquiries
Libbie Sinclair
Marketing Manager
Libbie.Sinclair@informa.com

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Genomic Testing Forum