Genetics Education & Health Research

Useful Links

Click a category below to jump to that part of the page.

General Genetics

DNA Interactive
www.dnai.org
DNA Interactive is an educational web site resource that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the DNA double helix structure. Each section is split into modules and has rare video interviews with scientists, 3D animations and narrative text to present and explain DNA science.

Dolan DNA Learning Center
www.dnalc.org
Devoted entirely to public education on genetics. Offers field trips, workshops, offsite links and other information on DNA science, genetic medicine, and biotechnology. Grade-level indicators are provided for educators. Sponsored by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Genetic Science Learning Center
gslc.genetics.utah.edu
General information on genetics and disorders including animated activities aimed at students. Also provides resources for teachers.

Your Genes, Your Choices
www.ornl.gov/hgmis/publicat/genechoice/index.html
The full text of this recently published book is available online. The book describes the Human Genome Project and the ethical, legal and social issues it raises, using case studies and questions for further thought. Illustrations help with understanding of the science behind the HGP. Sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Gene Letter
www.geneletter.com
This online newsletter about genetics and public policy features regular columns on science, medicine, ethics, law and international developments.

Human Genome Project, U.S. Department of Energy
www.ornl.gov/hgmis
Detailed information about the HGP directed to general audiences. Educations, Ethics and Social Issues, Medicine and Research pages. Offers FAQs, summaries of new findings, publications and fact sheets.

University of Pennsylvania Center for Bioethics
www.med.upenn.edu/bioethics
One of the pre-eminent centers for study of bioethics in the country. Provides discussion groups and thorough background information on current issues in bioethics, such as cloning and genetics.

The Courts and Science Online Magazine
einshac.org
Provides articles and guidelines for science in the courtroom. Posted by the Einstein Institute for Science, Health and the Courts.

National Human Genome Research Institute
www.genome.gov
Detailed background information about the HGP as well as Research, Health and Ethics and Policies involved with genetics. Includes educational resources.

Gene Technology Information Service
www.technyou.edu.au
TechNyou provides balanced and factual information on emerging technologies such as GM foods, stem cells, genetic testing and nanotechnologies. We are a collaboration between the University of Melbourne and the Australian Government with the aim to promote an informed dialogue about the existing and future applications of these technologies.

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ABC Online: Explore DNA and Genetics
www.abc.net.au/science/explore/dna/default.htm
This website topic brings together ABC news, transcripts, features and forums covering DNA and genetics and is regularly updated.

Genetic Conditions

Better Health Channel
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

The Centre for Genetics Education
www.genetics.com.au
Resources related to genetics, genetic disorders and the use and implications of the developing genetic technology. Choose Student, Professional or Families link to reach fact sheets on general genetics and common genetic conditions.

Online Mendelian Inheritance In Man
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim
Indispensable for the human geneticist.

National Organisation for Rare Disorders
www.rarediseases.org
Very large database, providing information on over 1,100 diseases, including links to related organisations.

Genes and Disease
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?call=bv.View..ShowSection&rid=gnd
This is a collection of articles that discuss genes and the diseases that they cause, organized by the parts of the body that they affect. With each genetic disorder, the underlying mutation(s) is discussed, along with clinical features and links to key websites.

Accessible Publishing of Genetic Information (APoGI)
www.chime.ucl.ac.uk/APoGI/
A UK resource which aims to provide genetic information both to health workers and to affected individuals.

Genetic Testing

Victorian Clinical Genetics Services
www.genetichealthvic.net.au
An integrated and accessible clinical and diagnostic genetics service, with a commitment to research, education and client services.

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/g2601/0005/2601000588/p1/article.jhtml?term=
Comprehensive article explaining everything about genetic testing.

Genetic Testing Task Force
www.genome.gov/page.cfm?pageID=10001808
The Genetic Testing Task Force's recommendations on genetic testing.

March of Dimes: Information Sheets
www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1204.asp
Site covering a wide range of prenatal and genetic topics including fact sheets on specific diseases and prenatal tests.

Understanding Gene Testing
www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEPC/NIH/
Comprehensive, thoughtful answers to a wide range of questions about the whethers and whys of genetic testing. Information is geared to the general public. Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health.

GeneTests.GeneClinics
www.geneclinics.org
A clinical information resource relating genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counselling of individuals and families with specific inherited disorders. Also features worldwide gene tests. Incorporates two websites previously known as GeneTests and GeneClinics. Registration is free.

Prenatal Diagnosis

Melbourne Ultrasound
www.melbuswomen.com.au
Detailed information on prenatal testing.

Genetics and IVF Institute
www.givf.com/pren_test.cfm
Information explaining the most common birth defects, and the tests that may be used to detect these conditions.

Genetic Support Groups

Genetic Support Network of Victoria
www.gsnv.org.au
The GSNV offers a range of services including information on genetic conditions, contact details for support groups, links between families with the same condition. The network can also link up existing support groups to facilitate in the exchange of information and ideas or help in the establishment a new support group.

Genetic Alliance
www.geneticalliance.org
An international genetics coalition comprised of millions of individuals with genetic conditions and more than 600 advocacy, research and health care organisations representing them.

The Genetics Interest Group
www.gig.org.uk
The Genetic Interest Group (GIG) is a UK national alliance of organisations which support children, families and individuals affected by genetic disorders / genetic diseases.

Stem Cells

The Ethics of Stem Cell Research
www.stemcells.ca
Provides links to the science of stem cells, the regulatory context and the key ethical arguments

Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine
www.nap.edu/books/0309076307/html
Committee on the Biological and Biomedical Applications of Stem Cell Research addressing the potential of stem cell research.

Clearly Explained - Stem Cells
clearlyexplained.com/nature/life/cells/stemcells.html
"The What, Why, News, How, History and Future of Stem cells" Also provides links for further information.

Stem Cell Research
www.trinity.wa.edu.au/plduffyrc/issues/stem.htm
Links and resources relating to stem cell research.

Cloning

Human Genome Project
www.ornl.gov/hgmis/elsi/cloning.html
Fact sheet on cloning and links.

HowStuffWorks
www.howstuffworks.com/cloning.htm
Comprehensive information on cloning of plants and animals, including easy to follow diagrams and definitions. Also provides links for further information.

bioethics.net
www.bioethics.net/articles.php
Features section of bioethics.net, which can also be searched for relevant articles.

Genetics and Society
www.genetics-and-society.org
Technologies, policies, politics and constituencies of human genetics.

Cancer

Cancer News on the Net
www.cancernews.com
The latest news and information on cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Aimed at patients and families.

Health Insite - Commonwealth government site
www.healthinsite.gov.au
Click on conditions/diseases then cancer. HealthInsite topic page linking to resources on the various types of cancer including prevention, risk factors, treatment, support services and statistics.

The Cancer Council Australia
www.cancer.org.au
Provides evidence-based information to cancer patients, doctors and health professionals and the general community. Links to states and territories.

Paternity Testing

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
www.vifm.org/dnalink.html

Easy DNA
www.easydna.com.au

DNA-ID Labs
www.dna-id.com.au

Genetic Technologies
www.genetictechnologies.com.au

Bioinformatics

GeneCards
www.genecards.org
A database offering concise information about the products, functions and involvement in diseases of many human genes.

UCSC Genome Bioinformatics
genome.cse.ucsc.edu
Contains the reference sequence and working draft assemblies for a large collection of genomes. The Genome Browser zooms and scrolls over chromosomes, showing the work of annotators worldwide. The Gene Sorter shows expression, homology and other information on groups of genes.

Related Links

Medical Encyclopaedia
www.drkoop.com/template.asp?ap=93&page=ency&letter=A
Online medical encyclopaedia.

Gene Technology Access Centre
www.wehi.edu.au/education/gtac/index.html

Better Health Channel
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/AToZ?Openview&RestrictToCategory=A&count=500
An alphabetical list of all the articles on the Better Health Channel.

Human Genetics Society of Australasia
www.hgsa.com.au

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=enquiriesIndex
Enquiry line provided by the CSIRO to help answer questions relating to the CSIRO's research and activities.

School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) - The University of Sheffield
www.shef.ac.uk/~scharr
The School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) is committed to the application of research and teaching to improve health and social care in the UK and Europe. It has particular depth and breadth in Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment.

Human Genetics Commission
www.hgc.gov.uk
The UK Government's advisory body on new developments in human genetics and how they impact on individual lives. Provide the Government with advice on human genetics with a particular focus on the social, ethical and legal issues.

British Society for Human Genetics
www.bshg.org.uk
Provides a forum for professionals involved in genetics in the UK as a clinical service and research. Its membership includes a wide spectrum of clinical, laboratory and research disciplines.

European Society for Human Genetics
www.eshg.org
This society promotes research in basic and applied human and medical genetics. Members are professionals involved in all disciplines of human genetics.

Genomics

Human Genome Epidemiology Network (HuGENet™)
www.cdc.gov/genomics/hugenet/
This website is an information exchange that promotes global collaboration in developing peer-reviewed information on the relationship between human genomic variation and health and on the quality of genetic tests for screening and prevention.

Demystifying genomics
http://www.mrc.ac.uk/pdf-dem_gen.pdf
Published by the UK Medical Research Council, who promote research into all areas of medical and related science with the aims of improving the health and quality of life of the UK public and contributing to the wealth of the nation.

Yourgenome.org
www.yourgenome.org
This website is produced by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and aims to help the user understand genomes and genomic science. It is a source for information, news and discussion in the field of genome science.

Genomics and Its Impact on Science and Society - The Human Genome Project and Beyond
www.ornl.gov/hgmis/publicat/primer2001/index.html
A Genomics Primer published by the U.S. Department of Energy Human Genome Program.

Genomics and Disease Prevention
www.cdc.gov/genomics/default.htm
This website is published by the U.S. Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention and provides information about human genomic discoveries and how they can be used to improve health and prevent disease in populations. It also provides links to activities in public health genomics across the lifespan.

Ethical, Legal and Social Issues

International Database on the Legal, Social and Ethical Aspects of HUMan GENetics (HumGen)
www.humgen.umontreal.ca/en
This website deals with social, ethical and legal aspects of human genetics. Many different issues are explored, such as confidentiality of genetic data, consent to genetic testing, and stem cell research.

Nuffield Council on Bioethics
www.nuffieldbioethics.org
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (U.K.) examines ethical issues raised by new developments in biology and medicine. Their role is to address public concerns, provide independent advice to assist policy makers and to stimulate debate in bioethics.