Human Genetics Society Of Australasia
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The Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) is a membership organization for individuals in the field of human genetics who primarily practise in the
Oceania Oceania (, , ) is a region, geographical region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Spanning the Eastern Hemisphere, Eastern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres, Oceania is estimated to have a land area of ...
region. Members typically hold both a qualification in human genetics and work in the field. Membership is drawn from clinical, laboratory and academic specialties. Members include clinical geneticists; genetic counsellors; laboratory scientists (molecular, cytogenetic and biochemical genetics); and academics (lecturers and researchers).


Objectives

The objectives of the Society are to: *ensure high ethical standards among those working in Human Genetics *facilitate communication between those working in Human Genetics *provide training and professional recognition for those involved in Human Genetics *support professional and lay education about Human Genetics *promote public awareness of Human Genetics *consider and comment upon matters relevant to Human Genetics or the interests of the Society *represent the interests of Human Genetics and those working in the field, and of the Society and its members, in public, professional, governmental and other forums *promote and support research in Human Genetics.


History

The Human Genetics Society of Australasia was founded subsequent to the growth in the field of genetics that occurred during the mid-twentieth century. During this time, the role that genetics plays in human health and disease became increasingly recognized. Genetic diagnostic techniques (in particular, in cytogenetics) were progressing rapidly. This coincided with the appreciation by medical specialists that genetic disorders, especially inborn errors of metabolism and birth defects, were of clinical interest. In 1976, a meeting in clinical genetics was held as part of the celebrations of the Centenary Year of the
Adelaide Children's Hospital The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on King William Road in North Adelaide, Australia. It is one of the major hospitals in Adelaide and is a teaching hospital of the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia and Flin ...
. The meeting involved several high-profile international speakers, most of the senior medical practitioners with an interest in heritable disease working in Australia and New Zealand, and delegates of the annual meeting of local cytogeneticists. The group agreed that a small working group should be charged with setting up a human genetics society for the region. Subsequently, the Human Genetics Society of Australasia was formally incorporated in South Australia in 1977 to serve the Australia and New Zealand region. The original group consisted of 19 Foundation Members, paying just $A10 ''per annum'' for membership.


Governance and structure

The HGSA is governed by a Council, presided over by the
President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
. The day-to-day strategic decision making is undertaken by an Executive of Council, consisting of the
President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. The Society employs a Chief Executive Offer to run the administrative functions of the organization. Executive members of HGSA Council are elected to their positions by popular vote from the membership. The remainder of Council is representative of the membership. The jurisdictions are represented by the Chairpersons of HGSA Branches, while the Special Interest Groups are represented by their Chairs. Council has the capacity to establish committees to undertake longterm high-level activities of the Society. Longstanding committees include the Scientific Programme Committee; Annual Scientific Meeting Local Organising Committee; and the Education, Ethics and Social Issues Committee.


Membership

As of 2021, the organization had approximately 1200 members. Persons wishing to become members of the Society must be nominated for membership by two existing voting members. Membership then must be endorsed by the Chair of the jurisdictional Branch in which the applicant lives. In the case of overseas applicants, it is the role of the Council Executive to approve admission to the Society. Most members also belong to at least one of the five Special Interest Groups of the Society that represent members' primary field of practice in human genetics: *
Australasian Association of Clinical Geneticists The Australasian Association of Clinical Geneticists (AACG) is a professional membership organization for medical specialists who are qualified to work in the field of clinical genetics. The Association was founded in 1995. As of 2021, the organi ...
*Australasian Society of Diagnostic Genomics * Australasian Society of Genetic Counsellors *Australasian Society for Inborn Errors of Metabolism *Australasian Cancer Genetics Group


HGSA annual scientific meeting

The Annual Scientific Meeting of the HGSA is a conference of international regard. It has been held annually since 1977, usually in early August. The meeting features plenary presentations from invited international experts in the field of human genetics. The conference provides a forum for members to showcase their own work in the fields of clinical genetics; genetic counselling; molecular genomics; cytogenomics; biochemical genomics and inborn errors of metabolism; ethics, legal and social issues; and education. A satellite day is held prior to the meeting for the Special Interest Groups to each hold a meeting of their own. The Society's two peak events, the HGSA Oration and the Sutherland Lecture, are both delivered at the meeting.


Awards and honours

The HGSA honours one eminent member annually by inviting them to present the HGSA Oration at the Annual Scientific Meeting. Additionally, one outstanding mid-career researcher is invited to deliver a presentation at the Annual Scientific Meeting to showcase their work in the Sutherland Lecture, named in honour of Prof
Grant Sutherland Grant Robert Sutherland (born 2 June 1945) is a retired Australian human geneticist and celebrated cytogeneticist. He was the Director, Department of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital for 27 years ( ...
. Each year, the membership is invited to nominate eminent retiring members to Emeritus Membership of the Society. Nominations are called for members who have contributed significantly to the running and welfare of the Society for a Service Award. HGSA Council scrutinizes and considers these nominations before awarding.


Education and professional development

The HGSA oversees professional training and certification in the fields of Diagnostic Genomics and
Genetic Counseling Genetic counseling is the process of investigating individuals and families affected by or at risk of genetic disorders to help them understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease; t ...
. Two Boards of Censors oversee training in these two respective fields. The HGSA partners with the
Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, more commonly known by its acronym RCPA is a medical organization that promotes the science and practice of pathology. The RCPA is a leading organisation representing pathologists and other sen ...
to train senior diagnostic genomicists to become Fellows of the Faculty of Science. The
Australasian Association of Clinical Geneticists The Australasian Association of Clinical Geneticists (AACG) is a professional membership organization for medical specialists who are qualified to work in the field of clinical genetics. The Association was founded in 1995. As of 2021, the organi ...
(AACG), a Special Interest Group of the HGSA, has direct ties with the
Royal Australasian College of Physicians The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) is a not-for-profit professional organisation responsible for training and educating physicians and paediatricians across Australia and New Zealand. The RACP is responsible for training both ...
(RACP), which is the body that oversees training and accreditation in clinical genetics in
Australasia Australasia is a region that comprises Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term is used in a number of different contexts, including geopolitically, physiogeographically, philologically, and ecologica ...
. The AACG advises the RACP on curricula and training requirements. In addition, members of the AACG supervise the clinical training of RACP trainees in clinical genetics. The AACG also oversees a lecture series for clinical genetics trainees. The HGSA hosts a large number of educational events throughout the year to help members undertake continuing professional development. In addition to the Society's Annual Scientific Meeting, members have access to a large number of webinars that are broadcast across Australia and New Zealand. Furthermore, each Branch holds face-to-face educational activities, such as lectures and symposia, for local members.


Regulatory functions

The HGSA oversees the regulation of the
genetic counselling Genetic counseling is the process of investigating individuals and families affected by or at risk of genetic disorders to help them understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease; t ...
profession throughout Australia and New Zealand. The profession self-regulates under the auspices o
the National Alliance of Self-Regulation Health Professions
The HGSA maintains a register of appropriately qualified genetic counsellors, accredits and records their mandatory continuing professional development activities, and provides a mechanism to deal with professional concerns and complaints of genetic counsellors.


Policy and advocacy

As the pre-eminent body representing human genetics in
Oceania Oceania (, , ) is a region, geographical region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Spanning the Eastern Hemisphere, Eastern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres, Oceania is estimated to have a land area of ...
, the HGSA authors numerous policies and position statements to guide practitioners in the region. Such documents cover diverse topics such as genomic testing; screening for genetic disorders; ethical practice in genomics; genetic education; and clinical service delivery. In addition, the HGSA actively comments on policy and guidelines authored by other institutions and provides expert advice to government and genomic regulatory authorities.


See also

* List of Annual Scientific Meetings of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia * List of presidents of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia *
List of HGSA Orations The HGSA Oration was established in 1990 in order to honour a pre-eminent member of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA). It is a lecture given by a senior member of the HGSA who has contributed significantly to the profession over man ...


References


External links


The Human Genetics Society of Australasia

Speciality Societies of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians

National Alliance of Self-Regulating Health Professions
Genetics societies Organizations established in 1977 Medical and health organizations Professional associations Professional associations based in Australia Medical associations based in Australia Speciality Society of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians {{genetics-stub