“A great opportunity” for the genomics and life science ecosystem

As this year’s Global Genomics Conference draws to a close, Grace Girling, PPP Life Sciences Policy Intern, spoke to some of the key stakeholders and partners in attendance.

Speaking to PPP Tom Sharrock, AI Product Manager for biomedical data specialists Lifebit said: “The PPP conference has been a great opportunity for a variety of stakeholders across the life science and genomics ecosystem to come together and think about the broader picture of how the policy decisions we are going to make in this country directly impacts the health of its citizens”

“The PPP conference has been a great opportunity for a variety of stakeholders across the life science and genomics ecosystem”

Also commenting on the significance of the conference, Sasha Henriques (pictured below), Principal Genetic Counsellor at Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Trust said: “I think being able to have conferences like this is crucial. Especially if they are able to cut across all the different levels in genomics, in genomic industry, in genomic health care, in government and policy, how you can bring those diverse voices into the conversation from the outset is critcally important, rather than them being side-lined into something that happens right at the end.”

“How you can bring those diverse voices into the conversation from the outset is critcally important”

Julian Borra (pictured below) said: “I am here because whether it is global or local, national, the question is how we move genomics forwards into systemic healthcare to greatest effect and impact for everyone? We must convince private, institutional and academic groups to look and agree on one central strategic bullseye, a charter in which we need to move genomics forward and into society. If we have people to align and sign up to that charter, and always agree to start with a human insight and human position, that would be a huge move forward for public health.”

“We must convince private, institutional and academic groups to look and agree on one central strategic bullseye, a charter in which we need to move genomics forward and into society”

 

Dr Mavis Machirori (pictured below on the right), Senior Researcher at the Ada Lovelace Institute: “It is vital to host these conferences and bring this audience together. I think with the people from different positions, we have got people from the private sector, people from policy-making, we have people who have conversations with people in positions of power. We need to continue to challenge policymakers to understand what diversity is and the practicalities of what diversity means for genomics. If you are in a postition to create real change and are not doing it, why are you in this postition in the first place?”

“We need to continue to challenge policymakers to understand what diversity is and the practicalities of what diversity means for genomics. If you are in a postition to create real change and are not doing it, why are you in this postition in the first place?”

Dr Saghira Sharif (pictured below), Principal Genetic Counsellor at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust said: “We all are here now to support this cause because diversity and inclusion is very important in all walks of life. For genomics, advances in diversity are making huge differences in people’s lives, they are there to diagnose conditions for treatment and develop targeted clinical pathways. So, I think it is very valuable what has gone on today with many people from around the science and the clinical background which will have impact on when they go back into their respective departments.”

“We all are here now to support this cause because diversity and inclusion is very important in all walks of life”

PPP is always seeking new partners to join its growing Global Genomics Network. To find out how to get involed and influence one of the most compelling and profound discussions in healthcare and life sciences, please contact kate.orviss@publicpolicyprojects.com.