Histories and Futures of Genetic Essentialism: On Bias, Its Origins, and Its Harms

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

4:00am PDT

1 hour

C.E.U.: 1 Category 1 Contact Hour

P.A.C.E.: 1 Unit

As geneticists, we can see through the fallacy of genetic essentialism, understanding that genetics alone cannot explain the full range of human experience. Yet, geneticists have been complicit in perpetuating harm by not dismantling structures that survive on biased foundations. We must foster dialogue on issues like racial justice, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equity, and disability inclusion–-integrating the foundational science that dispels harmful misconceptions. We will explore methods to do this by disentangling social and biological identities and considering ways in which to apply this framework to our professional activities.

Level of Instruction: Intermediate

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Candace Peterson

Sr. Genomic Science Liaison

Candace Peterson, MS, CGC is a licensed, certified genetic counselor who received her MS in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. She is a National Senior Genomic Science Liaison. Prior to joining Ambry, she was a clinical oncology genetic counselor for 16+ years and most recently was Manager & Sr. Genetic Counselor at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, PA . She is passionate about training and educating genetic counselors, nurses, and other medical professionals. She previously taught Cancer Genetics courses at Arcadia University and Fox Chase Cancer Center. In addition to providing clinical support and education to healthcare providers, Candace works closely with Ambry’s Comprehensive Assessment Risk and Education (CARE) program and helps coordinate Cases Café, a national education genetics case conference webinar series.