Prof Dianne Nicol1
1University Of Tasmania
As genome editing technology advances in sophistication and reliability, it will be necessary for policy makers to decide whether or not they should allow heritable forms of genome editing and genome editing research involving human embryos. This presentation will show that currently the law relating to these matters ranges across the full gamut from outright prohibition to more permissive approaches. The regulatory landscapes for genome editing research involving human embryos again varies across the spectrum from restrictive to permissive. This variability between countries illustrates how difficult it is to determine international best practice for genome editing policy. This presentation discusses how one particular methodology (citizen deliberation) has been used in Australia to facilitate public consultation, which may assist policy makers in their consideration of the need for law and policy reform and may provide guidance on more global approaches to citizen deliberation on this topic.
Biography:
In 2021, Dianne Nicol stood down from her roles as Distinguished Professor of Law and Director of the Centre for Law and Genetics at the University of Tasmania in Australia, but continues in an emeritus role. Dianne has a background in science as well as law, with a PhD in cell biology. She is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Her current research focuses primarily on the regulation and governance of genomic data sharing and personalized medicine, including genome editing, stem cell science and other innovative health technologies. She is Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council Embryo Research Licensing Committee and co-lead of the Regulatory and Ethics Workstream of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health.