25-S205 How Human Genetics Affects You, Your Family and Society – Heather McDermid

This course will help you understand how human genetics can affect our lives now and in the future. Have you ever wondered how genetic testing works, in medicine or forensics? Or how genetic testing can reduce adverse drug reactions? Or what you can learn from commercial “direct-to-consumer” DNA tests? In the ~70 years since the structure of DNA was discovered, remarkable progress has occurred in the understanding of human genetics. The instructor will address both medical genetic advances and their ethical conundrums. Topics include the basics of disease inheritance, cancer genetics, types of genetic screening (including direct-to-consumer products), pharmacogenetics (personalised medicine), and the promise of gene therapy. Examples such as cystic fibrosis will be used to illustrate how genetic understanding can lead to effective treatments and possible cures.
Instructor: Heather McDermid

Heather McDermid is a University of Alberta professor emerita (retired 2020). She taught “Human Genetics”, “Ethical Issues in Genetics” and “Independent Studies in Genetic Counselling” for 30, 17 and 9 years, respectively. She is passionate about teaching how genetics is affecting our lives, and its awesome potential.