I am writing this from my place of birth, the beautiful Nairobi (yes, I am also proudly Kenyan!). Just as DNA is in almost every cell in my body, so too is Kenya in my DNA. I love returning here and each time, I am always welcomed with open arms and a warm 'Karibuni Kenya'. It is such a privilege to travel within Africa and if you are reading our #FF newsletter from outside of Africa, be sure to put it on your map! Attending forensic events in Africa not only supports the forensic community, but the community at large. We should all encourage the organisers of some of the larger international forensic meetings to look at hosting one of its conferences in Africa. It is one of the most beautiful, warmest and welcoming places on earth - I literally flew over the thundering Victoria Falls en route to Nairobi which is truly a spectacular sight. See for yourself (pic below) and follow my journey to get a glimpse into where I am in Africa this coming week. This edition raises the hot topic of what constitutes informed consent in forensic genetics and genomics research. I sit on the ISFG’s Forensic Databases Advisory Board (FDAB) and we have recently completed a framework for assessing the ethical implications of hosting data on the forensic genetic frequency databases (YHRD, EMPOP and STRidER). This report has now been published on the ISFG website and I appeal to all forensic scientists currently working with these databases to read this report. The FDAB will be hosting a workshop in respect of their first report in Budapest in May this year and has also invited the wider forensic community to submit their feedback (details below). Coinciding with the dissemination of the FDAB’s report, Prof. Bruce Budowle has published an important peer-reviewed article on informed consent. I am with Bruce in Nairobi this week and he has kindly shared some tips with us below on how to ensure that, as forensic experts in our pursuit for truth, we do so ethically and with consent. I cannot contain my excitement at personally receiving the long-awaited SAK items in Nairobi this week, where I am handing them over to Lady Wangu Kanja for distribution to selected rape crisis centres in Kenya. I have also met with other role players in Nairobi this week as well as potential funders in this global project to ensure the success of this pilot. This project highlights that with co-operation and co-ordination it can be duplicated in other regions. It has attracted so much attention worldwide that we have created a dedicated web page, so be sure watch this space and follow its progress here. As always, thanks for all your amazing feedback received in response to our weekly #FF Newsletter. Please share it with your colleagues to help us grow our community, and keep an eye out next week for live updates from the 10th ASFM Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, showcasing yet another vibrant city in Africa. Asante Sana! Yours in forensics, Vanessa |
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TIPS ON INFORMED CONSENT BY PROF. BRUCE BUDOWLE |
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"The fundamental principles of respect, beneficence and justice should be employed when performing research and/or testing on human subjects. These principles form the foundations of informed consent, which allow subjects to make decisions voluntarily, as well as secure the use of samples for intended use." ~ Prof. Budowle |
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Informed consent has three fundamental elements: information, comprehension and voluntary participation Beyond basic forensic genetics/genomics research, informed consent should be part of the processes of missing persons and human remains identification, targeted analyses during forensic genetic genealogy investigations, validation studies, family members and molecular autopsy, and access to sample repositories collected for other purposes. Informed consent combines basic ethical and conduct concepts and is interwoven into the practices of forensic science and the judicial process. All benefit by understanding what constitutes a vulnerable individual or population, and presenting the risks and benefits of the study/process is necessary (even if it takes time and may be arduous), so individuals have the autonomy to decide whether to participate or not. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
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INFORMED CONSENT IN PRACTICE: UCT ACADEMIC RESEARCH |
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As part of ethical requirements at universities and good research practice, informed consent is required when collecting biological samples. University of Cape Town Forensic Genetics Masters student, Lisa Malan (right, pictured with Biomedical Forensic Science Lecturer, Dr Shameemah Abrahams) shares an example of applying Informed Consent principles when she had to recruit patients who had undergone wisdom teeth extraction surgery to donate their teeth for DNA extraction. WATCH MORE HERE |
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FORENSIC GENETIC FREQUENCY DATABASES: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS WORKSHOP: 18 MAY, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY |
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WORKSHOP: Ethical Considerations for Data residing on and submitted to Forensic Genetic Frequency Databases WHEN: 18 May, 2023, 08h30 - 12h30 WHERE: Budapest, Hungary REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE The FDAB recently presented its first report (currently available for open consultation and comments) to the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), providing a framework to assess the ethical implications of hosting data from a variety of population groups on the forensic genetic frequency databases (FGFD) known as YHRD, EMPOP and STRidER. The FDAB has invited the wider forensic community to send feedback here. As part of the 12th Haploid Markers Conference, the FDAB are hosting a workshop to present and discuss important considerations raised in its first report, including questions of data privacy, ethical practices (informed consent and review boards) and data sensitivity. Participants will gain an understanding of how data residing on the FGFD has been classified by FDAB members according to evolving ethical landmarks in biomedical research as well as its source (academic, law enforcement, private, etc.). This workshop will also offer the audience an opportunity to engage in a deeper debate with the FDAB on the role and acceptable alternatives to informed consent, the impact of including datasets on minorities and vulnerable groups, and other relevant ethical aspects to consider for a risk-benefit assessment of data currently hosted on the FGFD. |
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LAST CALL: 10th ASFM, Kigali, Rwanda 7-10 March 2023 |
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What are you waiting for?! It's not too late to meet us in Kigali next week for a deep dive into forensic pathology. Come meet your peers and join us for the panel discussion on the 8th of March: Identifying the Missing and the Deceased with DNA Technologies. Sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific, the panel will focus on DNA's role in identification of human remains How DNA samples from UHR and shared databases such as iFamilia can help reduce the high numbers of unidentified/unclaimed decedents in Africa How to establishment a regional DNA database
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#DNACRUSADER OF THE WEEKPROF. MARION MUTUGI |
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Marion Wanjiku Mutugi is a professor of genetics from Kenya and is widely published in the area of medical genetics and more recently bioethics, focusing on the ethical application of research findings and advances in science for the promotion and protection of human rights. What is your role at the KNCHR? Promoting and protecting human rights. If you do not know your rights, you can neither claim them or know when they are violated. How did you get into human rights? I observed the increasing disparity in access to services between the few and the majority who are poor, marginalised and also those that are ignorant in respect to what is their due. Does forensic DNA play a role in the work you do? How can it be better utilised? I believe there are people incarcerated not because they are guilty but because they are poor and ignorant and cannot afford to defend themselves adequately in court. There are also those who are framed by greedy people and in paternity suits for purposes of property. Using DNA technology, fraudulent schemes such as these can be exposed. You recently joined the board of The Mawazo Institute. What guidance can you give female scholars/thought leaders in Africa, especially in the human rights field? Science and Technology drives economic systems and processes in the world today. And yet, to date, African girls have been discouraged and excluded from STEM, traditionally considered male territory. Mawazo provides an opportunity to mentor African women in STEM by providing soft skills for navigating predominantly male spaces. What would you like to achieve in the near future? Mentoring and encouraging the disadvantaged and making a difference in their lives by applying advances in science. You were named Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear by the President in 2011 for your distinguished service rendered to the nation - please tell us more! This was in recognition of the transfer of advances in health, agriculture and governance among the rural and urban vulnerable populations. In particular, the mobilisation of women in community education and civic intervention, to claim and protect their rights. FOLLOW MARION HERE |
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THERE ARE ONLY TWO OPTIONS: MAKE PROGRESS OR MAKE EXCUSES. Today marks a big day for criminal justice reform in South Africa... |
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Together we are DNAforAfrica, and together, we are UNSTOPPABLE! |
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Follow our Journey @DNAforAFRICA | |
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