VCU to participate in national genetics mentoring network

By Joe Kuttenkuler

Three Virginia Commonwealth University faculty members have volunteered to be a part of a national effort to promote the emerging fields of human genetics and genomics to Virginia students in grades K-12.

Colleen Jackson-Cook, Ph.D. and Rita Shiang, Ph.D. from VCU's Department of Human Genetics and John Quillin, a genetic counselor at VCU's Massey Cancer Center, will participate in the Genetics Mentor Network - a partnership between the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the National Human Genome Research Institute, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.

Comprised of nearly 700 members of the ASHG, the mentors will travel to classrooms, museums and other venues to discuss genetics and the array of career opportunities in the field.

"The field of genetics has seen an explosion of information in the last few years. However, coupled with the wonder and excitement of recent discoveries are concerns about adverse uses of the technology," Jackson-Cook said. "One of my goals in joining this educational effort is to help students begin to understand some of the information and discuss the concerns."

Jackson-Cook already has been active in providing educational opportunities to local students. For several years, she has offered a human genetics semester course to talented and gifted students in Powhatan County. In the coming weeks, two student groups - one high school and one elementary - will visit VCU labs to see first hand some of the work being done in genetics.

"Gene talk is becoming a greater part of the vernacular and a rational understanding of genetics is necessary for present and future policy making decisions," said Quillin. "It is vital that we harness the interest of young people now to enable us to take genetic discoveries to the next level."

On April 25, the genetics community will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of the landmark paper on DNA structure. Through the Genetics Mentor Network and other resources, the ASHG hopes to have 1,000 or more geneticists teaching to the public on that day.