Engaging with Genetics

Gillian Crawford and Mirjam Plantinga visited A level students from Bitterne Park School and St Anne’s School

As part of the research engagement activity ‘Engaging with parents of the future about the offer of genetic screening before pregnancy’ funded by the University of Southampton’s Public Engagement with Research unit (PERu), Gillian Crawford and Mirjam Plantinga visited Bitterne Park School on April 17th. They discussed preconception carrier screening with A level students from Bitterne Park and St Anne’s School.

CELS is doing research, together with the University Medical Center Groningen, on the responsible implementation of this couple-based genetic test in healthcare. The students showcased their group-based homework critically analysing a decision aid on preconception carrier screening and debated about the ethical and societal implications of offering the test in healthcare. It was a great day in which all students engaged very well.

The students will present what they learned at Lifelab’s annual showcase event on July 4th.