2nd Genomic and Genetic Counselling Conference

Genetic Counselling for Everyone

13th & 14th November 2021

Download flyer : Flyer GCSM 2nd Genomic and Genetic Counselling Conference 2021

Download programme booklet : Booklet GCSM 2nd Genomic and Genetic Counselling Conference 2021

Join us to learn more about genetic counselling from local and international experts in genetics

Who is the target audience?
Day 1 : Tailored for health professionals**, scientists, students & trainees
Day 2 : Public

How it will be held?
Virtual via Zoom

**8 MMC CPD points available (4 CPD points/ each day)

Foreword from President of GCSM

Dear friends and colleagues,

On behalf of the Organising Committee, we are delighted to welcome you to the 2^nd Genomics and Genetic Counselling Conference of the Genetic Counselling Society Malaysia (GCSM) in partnership with Persatuan Genetik Malaysia. This conference, in conjunction with Genetic Counsellors’ Awareness Month, will take place on the 13^th and 14^th of November, virtually.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact in Malaysia and globally. We extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost a loved one and those who suffered during this pandemic. As the pandemic continue to pose uncertainties on the possibility of an in-person event, this year’s conference will be conducted virtually to safeguard the safety of all attendees.

In this era of unprecedented advances in the use of genetics in healthcare, there is vast improvement in diagnostics and precision treatment across a spectrum of diseases but with new opportunities, comes new challenges. The need for genetic counselling has increased exponentially and role of genetic counsellors to manage emerging counselling issues is evolving. In Malaysia, the use of genetic testing in diagnosis and treatment is following the trends as seen in many other developed countries and we will need to prepare to meet the challenges of using genetic profiles in our population. Genetic information has to be used in an equitable and fair manner without discrimination for those who have inherited genetic conditions.

GCSM acknowledges that there is a great need to have more genetics counsellor in the country. These counsellors are expected to be in high demand in the oncoming years because of the new breadth and depth of analyses thanks to the advancement in research, resource and technology. To that end, GCSM aims to lead in developing national best practice policy statements, the setting up of an effective certification and registration process in partnership with the Ministry of Health and partner organisations. This step forward will provide a platform for the safe delivery and accurate interpretation of genetic information to patients and their family members.

This year will be an exciting year for GCSM as we launch the 2^nd Genomics and Genetic Counselling Conference of the Genetic Counselling Society Malaysia (GCSM) in partnership with Persatuan Genetik Malaysia (PGM). The conference is aimed at both healthcare providers and the public with different objectives and presentations delivered by different speakers, both internationally and locally. We encourage you to join us at both events to understand about the utility of genetic counselling and the role of genetic counsellors as we move forward in a genetic based future.

Yoon Sook-Yee
President of GCSM

Programme

DAY 1 (13 NOVEMBER 2021)

Targeted audience: Healthcare professionals, Scientist, Students, Trainees

1.00pm – 1.10pm Welcoming Speech
Ms. Yoon Sook Yee, President, Genetic Counselling Society Malaysia (GCSM)
Prof. Dr. Abd Rahman Milan, President, Persatuan Genetik Malaysia (PGM)

SESSION 1: GENETIC COUNSELLING IN THE ERA OF PRECISION MEDICINE

1.10pm – 1.30pm Introduction to Genetic Counselling
Dr. Annie Hasan – President, Board of Genetic Counselling India, India

1.30pm – 1.50pm Career in Genetic Counselling – Where Will This Take Me
Assoc. Prof. Alison McEwen, Head of Genetic Counselling, University Technology Sydney, Australia

1.50pm – 2.05pm Awareness and Perception of Genetic Counselling Services Among Healthcare Providers
Malaysia
Dr. Ch’ng Gaik Siew – Clinical Geneticist & Paediatrician, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

2.05pm – 2.45pm Forum: The Evolving Role of Genetic Counsellors
Dr. Annie Hasan – President, Board of Genetic Counselling India, India
Assoc. Prof. Alison McEwen – Head of Genetic Counselling, University Technology Sydney,
Australia
Prof. Sultana Faradz – Professor of Medical Genetics, Diponegoro University, Indonesia
Prof. Carmencita D. Padilla – Chancellor, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
Ms. Sharifah Azween Syed Omar – Genetic Counsellor, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia

Moderator : Ms. Yoon Sook Yee, Certified Genetic Counsellor FHGSA, RegGC HGSA,
President of GCSM

SESSION 2: UTILITY OF GENETIC TESTING

2.45pm – 3.05pm Navigating the Information From Direct To Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing
Dr. Jacqueline Savard Senior Lecturer, Deakin University, Australia

3.05pm – 3.25pm Diagnostic Genetic Testing
Ms. Yusnita Yakob – Head of Molecular Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

3.25pm – 3.35pm Sponsor’s session

SESSION 3: REPRODUCTIVE GENETICS

3.35pm – 3.55 pm Introduction to Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis
Dr. Tristan Hardy – Medical Director of Genetics, Monash IVF Group, Australia

3.55pm – 4.15pm Genetic Counselling Challenges in Reproductive Genetic Testing
Ms. Juliana Lee – Certified Genetic Counsellor FHGSA, RegGC HGSA, Secretary of GCSM

4.15pm – 4.45pm Case Studies Discussion
Dr. Tristan Hardy – Medical Director of Genetics, Monash IVF Group, Australia
Dr. Sann Lin Ko – Anatomist/Embryologist, Moe Kaung Fertility Centre, Moe Kaung Treasure Maternal & Child Hospital, Myanmar
Dr. Helena Lim Yun Hsuen – Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, KL Fertility Centre, Malaysia

Moderator : Ms. Juliana Lee – Certified Genetic Counsellor FHGSA, RegGC HGSA, Secretary of GCSM

SESSION 4: CANCER GENETICS

4.45pm – 5.05pm Somatic and Germline Cancer Genetic Testing for Risk Management and Treatment
Choice
Prof. Dr. Gareth Evans – Professor in Medical Genetics and Cancer Epidemiology, University of Manchester, UK

5.05pm – 5.25pm Harnessing the Power of Cancer Genetic Testing in Low & Medium Income Countries
Prof. Dr. Rajiv Sarin – Professor in Oncology & Cancer Genetics, Tata Memorial Hospital, India

5.25 pm – 6.00 pm Case Studies Discussion
Prof. Dr. Gareth Evans – Professor in Medical Genetics and Cancer Epidemiology, University of Manchester, UK
Prof. Dr. Rajiv Sarin – Professor in Oncology & Cancer Genetics, Tata Memorial Hospital, India

Moderator : Ms. Tiara Hassan – Assoc. Genetic Counsellor, Cancer Research Malaysia, Malaysia

5.55 pm – 6.00pm Closing Remarks

DAY 2: 14 NOVEMBER 2021

Targeted audience: Public

1.00pm – 1.10pm Welcoming Speech
Ms. Yoon Sook Yee, President, Genetic Counselling Society Malaysia (GCSM)
Prof. Dr. Abd Rahman Milan, President, Persatuan Genetik Malaysia (PGM)

2.10pm – 2.30pm Introduction to Genetic Counselling
Ms. Rifhan Azwani Mazlan – Assoc. Genetic Counsellor, University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia

2.30pm – 2.50pm What Can A Genetic Test Tell Me?
Ms. Yoon Sook Yee – Certified Genetic Counsellor FHGSA, RegGC HGSA, President of GCSM

2.50pm – 3.15pm Introduction to Newborn Screening
Dr. Leong Huey Yin – Clinical Geneticist, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3.15pm – 3.40pm Dilemma in Prenatal Genetic Testing
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sofia Sulaiman – Feto-Maternal Medicine Specialist, University of Malaya, Malaysia

3.40pm – 3.50pm Sponsor’s session

3.50pm – 4.15pm Cancer Genetic Testing: Understand Your Family History & Plan Ahead
Ms. Tiong Shing Yiing – Genetic Counsellor, Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre, Malaysia

4.25pm – 5.15pm Forum: Family Communication – Genetic Counselling & Bringing the Family Together

Healthcare Professional:
Prof. Thong Meow Keong – Clinical Geneticist, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya

Genetic Counsellors:
Ms. Rifhan Mazlan – Assoc. Genetic Counsellor, University Malaya Medical Centre
Ms. Suzanah Abd Hamid – Psychology Officer, Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-Kanak Sabah

Patient and Family Support Groups:
Malaysian Rare Disorders Society (MRDS)
Prader-Willi Syndrome Malaysia (PWSM)
The Hemophilia Society of Malaysia (HSM)
Persatuan Pesakit Imunodefisiensi Primer Malaysia (MyPOPI)
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Albinism Association (KLSAA)
Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association Malaysia (DEBRA Malaysia)
Malaysia’s Neurofibromatosis Community
Pertubuhan Kebajikan Pesakit Ichthyosis Malaysia (PEKIM)