icgw 2024 Session 1

Session 1: Bridging the Genetic Gap: Promoting Wellness and Health Equity

This conference session aims to delve into the intricate relationships between genetics, wellness and health disparities. As genetic research continues to advance, it becomes increasingly important to understand how genetic factors can contribute to disparities in health outcomes across diverse populations. This session will bring together experts in genetics, healthcare, and public health to discuss the impact of genetics on wellness and health disparities, explore strategies for addressing these disparities, and highlight the potential for genetic research to contribute to more equitable healthcare systems. In this session, important questions to be discussed are:

How do genetic factors contribute to wellness and health disparities among different groups of people? What are the key genetic factors that have been identified as contributors to health disparities, and how do they manifest across diverse communities?
How can genetic research be leveraged to better understand and address health disparities, particularly in underrepresented and marginalized populations?
How can personalized medicine approaches, based on genetic data, be used to tailor healthcare interventions, improve wellness and reduce health disparities?
What policies and interventions can be implemented at both healthcare and societal levels to reduce the impact of genetic factors on health disparities and promote wellness?

Moderator:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukhgij Ysothonsreekul,
Dean of Faculty of Medical Science at Naresuan University

Speakers:

Main idea: Introducing nanopore technology for pharmacogenetic innovation in Thailand.
Important points:

Nanopore technology: A new sequencing method that can rapidly analyze DNA sequences.
Pharmacogenomics application: Using genetic information to guide drug prescriptions and prevent adverse reactions.
Preventive medicine model: Advocating for genetic testing before drug use to prevent side effects and promote personalized healthcare.

1. Dr. Thidathip Wongsurawat,
Head of Division of Medical Bioinformatics at Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

Main idea: Discussing human genetic diversity, its implications for health, and the importance of including diverse populations in genetic research.
Important points:

African genetic diversity: Africa has the highest genetic diversity due to human evolutionary history.
Genetic adaptations: Different populations have genetic adaptations to their environments, influencing health outcomes.
Representation in research: Current genetic studies are biased towards European populations, potentially exacerbating health disparities.
Complex diseases: Most common diseases are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors, requiring comprehensive study approaches.

2. Dr. Charles N. Rotimi,
Scientific Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Director of Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health, the US

Main idea: Introducing the Genomic Thailand initiative to advance precision medicine and reduce health disparities in Thailand.
Important points:

Gene-environment interaction: Diseases result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, varying across populations.
Genomic Thailand project: A government-endorsed initiative to sequence Thai genomes and advance precision medicine in the country.
Infrastructure development: Thailand has established genome sequencing facilities and computational infrastructure to support the project.
Data representation: The project aims to improve representation of Southeast Asian genetic data in global databases, potentially reducing health disparities.

3. Dr. Sissades Tongsima,
Director of National Biobank of Thailand

Main idea: Explaining precision medicine, complex traits, and the challenges of implementing genetic knowledge in healthcare.
Important points:

Precision medicine: Using genetic and other information to guide more accurate diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
Complex traits: Most diseases are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors, making them challenging to predict and treat based on genetics alone.
Polygenic risk scores: A method to assess disease risk based on multiple genetic variants, but with limitations in transferability between populations.
Equity issues: Disparities in genetic data availability and accessibility across populations can lead to healthcare inequities

4. Dr. Jakris Eu-ahsunthornwattana,
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University