Comments on: We must revolutionize our communication of science to non-scientists http://www.genomicslawreport.com/index.php/2009/10/14/we-must-revolutionize-our-communication-of-science-to-non-scientists/ News and analysis from the intersection of genomics, personalized medicine and the law Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:52:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: eleanor http://www.genomicslawreport.com/index.php/2009/10/14/we-must-revolutionize-our-communication-of-science-to-non-scientists/comment-page-1/#comment-889 eleanor Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:30:57 +0000 http://www.genomicslawreport.com/?p=1080#comment-889 I found your blog through Daniel MacArthur's recommendation at Genetic Future. Great points--as someone who has just started studying Genetic Counseling, I was surprised that the field wasn't mentioned at all in the piece. Arguably, this need is reason for the birth (and rapid growth) of the field. Most genetic counselors do work specifically in prenatal or cancer clinics, but the broader concept of the field is communication (and counseling) related to genetics and testing, as there are more and more options and information to weed through. For anyone on the legal or research side of genetics--are you aware of Genetic Counseling? Does it feel relevant, or too niche to have a place in all of this? I found your blog through Daniel MacArthur’s recommendation at Genetic Future.

Great points–as someone who has just started studying Genetic Counseling, I was surprised that the field wasn’t mentioned at all in the piece. Arguably, this need is reason for the birth (and rapid growth) of the field. Most genetic counselors do work specifically in prenatal or cancer clinics, but the broader concept of the field is communication (and counseling) related to genetics and testing, as there are more and more options and information to weed through.

For anyone on the legal or research side of genetics–are you aware of Genetic Counseling? Does it feel relevant, or too niche to have a place in all of this?

]]> By: Valuable Internet Information » We must revolutionize our communication of science to non-scientists http://www.genomicslawreport.com/index.php/2009/10/14/we-must-revolutionize-our-communication-of-science-to-non-scientists/comment-page-1/#comment-872 Valuable Internet Information » We must revolutionize our communication of science to non-scientists Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:23:57 +0000 http://www.genomicslawreport.com/?p=1080#comment-872 [...] Read the rest here: We must revolutionize our communication of science to non-scientists [...] [...] Read the rest here: We must revolutionize our communication of science to non-scientists [...]

]]> By: paul baker http://www.genomicslawreport.com/index.php/2009/10/14/we-must-revolutionize-our-communication-of-science-to-non-scientists/comment-page-1/#comment-861 paul baker Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:11:28 +0000 http://www.genomicslawreport.com/?p=1080#comment-861 See also the informative and thought provoking article 'Science Communication Reconsidered' "Our goal is to focus attention on key areas of expert agreement about two aspects of science communication: public engagement and science journalism. These two main themes are interrelated; the dissemination of knowledge is one part of a multifaceted approach toward increasing public involvement in science issues and decision-making. We conclude with specific recommendations for moving forward." http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v27/n6/full/nbt0609-514.html (Nature Biotechnology, June 09) See also the informative and thought provoking article ‘Science Communication Reconsidered’

“Our goal is to focus attention on key areas of expert agreement about two aspects of science communication: public engagement and science journalism. These two main themes are interrelated; the dissemination of knowledge is one part of a multifaceted approach toward increasing public involvement in science issues and decision-making. We conclude with specific recommendations for moving forward.”

http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v27/n6/full/nbt0609-514.html
(Nature Biotechnology, June 09)

]]> By: Non-Tech to Tech Communcations « Agency Development http://www.genomicslawreport.com/index.php/2009/10/14/we-must-revolutionize-our-communication-of-science-to-non-scientists/comment-page-1/#comment-860 Non-Tech to Tech Communcations « Agency Development Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:58:29 +0000 http://www.genomicslawreport.com/?p=1080#comment-860 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Dana Waring http://www.genomicslawreport.com/index.php/2009/10/14/we-must-revolutionize-our-communication-of-science-to-non-scientists/comment-page-1/#comment-858 Dana Waring Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:02:52 +0000 http://www.genomicslawreport.com/?p=1080#comment-858 Thank you for this commentary, Chris - I couldn't agree more. I also work in the area of talking with students, non-scientists, the general public about social issues in genetics. We are continually surprised and delighted to see how eager people are to engage with the science and as well as the ethical dimensions. I am often struck by polls that show non-scientists do struggle with some of the important scientific concepts related to genetics. However, if you ask people about their fears and hopes for genetic research, the answers are complex, nuanced, and right on target. Check out diybio.org, they have got a interesting approach underway, too. Thanks again Dana Waring, Personal Genetics Education Project. Thank you for this commentary, Chris – I couldn’t agree more. I also work in the area of talking with students, non-scientists, the general public about social issues in genetics. We are continually surprised and delighted to see how eager people are to engage with the science and as well as the ethical dimensions. I am often struck by polls that show non-scientists do struggle with some of the important scientific concepts related to genetics. However, if you ask people about their fears and hopes for genetic research, the answers are complex, nuanced, and right on target. Check out diybio.org, they have got a interesting approach underway, too. Thanks again Dana Waring, Personal Genetics Education Project.

]]> By: paul baker http://www.genomicslawreport.com/index.php/2009/10/14/we-must-revolutionize-our-communication-of-science-to-non-scientists/comment-page-1/#comment-857 paul baker Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:13:49 +0000 http://www.genomicslawreport.com/?p=1080#comment-857 Hi Chris. These points are certainly important and, beyond being considered here, need also to be raised in several other contexts: in the offices, conventions, and professional organizations of scientists, health professionals, publishing firms, and journalists (both independent and working within established media outlets). The first step is challenging in itself: people passionate about communicating science and research are the ones who will get (and keep) this discussion going. It's quite another thing to convince, to enable, and to require, as you propose. I hope that representatives of the groups you mention see your post and chime in. This issue has probably been raised before, and your post should attract some comments from people who have initiated some of these things. You're right to insist on using new methods to communicate. In fact, I was pointed to this page by a Twitter message from @matushiq, someone in Prague, someone I've never met. I'll re-Tweet it and hope others will stop by and comment too. Thanks for the ideas Paul Baker Madison, Wis. www.wcer.wisc.edu Hi Chris.
These points are certainly important and, beyond being considered here, need also to be raised in several other contexts: in the offices, conventions, and professional organizations of scientists, health professionals, publishing firms, and journalists (both independent and working within established media outlets).
The first step is challenging in itself: people passionate about communicating science and research are the ones who will get (and keep) this discussion going. It’s quite another thing to convince, to enable, and to require, as you propose.
I hope that representatives of the groups you mention see your post and chime in.
This issue has probably been raised before, and your post should attract some comments from people who have initiated some of these things.
You’re right to insist on using new methods to communicate. In fact, I was pointed to this page by a Twitter message from @matushiq, someone in Prague, someone I’ve never met. I’ll re-Tweet it and hope others will stop by and comment too.
Thanks for the ideas
Paul Baker
Madison, Wis.
http://www.wcer.wisc.edu

]]>