Saving science from fiction: genetics experts launch new education network

Scientists from Goldsmiths, University of London have launched a new international consortium committed to improving public understanding about genetics in the fields of psychology and human development.

The Accessible Genetic Consortium (TAGC) was formed on the back of Goldsmiths’ partnership with Tomsk State University, Russia, and formally launched with a popular ‘Genes and Tonic’ event in March 2016.

As research builds and genomic sequencing procedures become cheaper, having a good understanding of genetics will become more and more important to us all, the group says.

Led by Goldsmiths’ professor of genetics and psychology Yulia Kovas, TAGC aims to communicate genetic knowledge in an accessible way and to address its ethical and legal implications – to enable everyone to benefit from genetic discoveries.

TAGC brings together efforts from scientists, media, lawyers and policy makers. It also provides key information, training and consultations at different levels, as well as a regular event series.

From information on the basics of DNA, to the politics of genome science, TAGC have begun work on an online accessible bank of knowledge. The team are also writing regular blog posts exploring the latest genetics news and how it’s communicated in the media.  

Founding members include Professor Kovas and PhD candidates Robert Chapman, Margherita Malanchini and Tomasz Bloniewski from the Goldsmiths InLab – our Department of Psychology research group focused on individual differences in learning.

Partners include King’s College London, Tomsk State University, New York University in London, the Russian British Behavioural Genetics Laboratory, and the International Business and Law Consultancy.

Visit www.tagc.world for more information, or follow @TAGC2016 for the latest news and events, including the next Genes and Tonic – a newly-launched ‘science in the pub’ night with expert talks, debate and games.

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'Behavioural Genetics for Education', edited by Yulia Kovas, Sergey Malykh and Darya Gaysina, explores how education can benefit from recent progress in genetically informative research.

Published on 23 March 2016, the book provides new insights into the origins of individual differences in education traits such as cognitive abilities and disabilities; motivation and personality; behavioural and emotional problems; social functioning; well-being, and academic achievement.

Chapter authors include Professor Alice Gregory, Department of Psychology, writing on genetic research on sleep and sleep disturbances.