Creating an International MSc in Human Genetics
An International MSc in Human Genetics is being cooperatively developed by three campuses located in the U.K., PR China and Australia. Since 2000 the organisers of this course have undertaken five international Workshops on Community Genetics and from their collaboration and experience have developed the outline proposal for a joint venture between St George’s University of London (U.K.), Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing (PR China), and in Perth (Australia). The Workshops have been undertaken in the U.K. (Leeds, 2000), India (Bangalore, 2002), PR China (Shenzhen, 2004), Australia (Fremantle, 2004) and Brazil (Florianopolis, 2005), with a further meeting scheduled for Cuba (Havana) in late 2006. In each case the Workshop have allowed interaction of faculty and fellows from developed and developing countries. The Workshops looked at the geographic distribution of genetic disease, issues of population genetics and human variation, and in have provided hands-on laboratory training or training in bioinformatics. They have also provided opportunities for local physicians and scientists to present their own research and clinical studies for discussion. The Workshops have been supported by the Pasteur Institute, Wellcome Foundation, BDFNewlife, Edith Cowan University and other local funding bodies. From their experience the organisers have recognised there is a need for training and research in Community and Human Genetics in many different parts of the world. The International MSc in Human Genetics will take local clinical problems as the basis of the research projects for the course and is scheduled to commence in London in Autumn 2006. The organisers believe this course will attract high quality scientists and physicians from both developing and developed countries.