Using gene technology to track and trace HIV – Should we? When? Why? How? Who?

We are delighted to let you know that the next Collaborative for Better Health and Regulation forum on ‘Using gene technology to track and trace HIV – Should we? When? Why? How? Who’ is being held at Melbourne Law School on Tuesday 19th November 2024 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and via zoom.

Genomic sequencing or molecular analysis can be used to ‘track and trace’ transmission of disease across a population. The technology was used during the COVID-19 outbreak to understand how the disease was spreading. The technology can also be used to identify transmission pathways for HIV and other STIs. There are public health advantages to a granular understanding of transmission. However, mapping HIV transmission at this level raises both legal and ethical challenges. This Collaborative event brings together panellists with a range of expertise to discuss some of the work arising from an interdisciplinary collaboration established to address these challenges. The panel will join with audience members in conversation to discuss some of the panel’s proposed responses and reflect on the value in developing a possible policy position from different perspectives.

  • Professor Louise Keogh, Centre for Health Equity, MSPGH
  • Dr Jane Brophy, Centre for Health Equity, MSPGH
  • Richard Keane, CEO, Living Positive Victoria
  • Dr George Taiaroa, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
  • Casey Haining, Centre for Health Equity, MSPGH
  • James Hamlet, Thorne Harbour Health
  • Dr Brendan Quinn, Victorian Department of Health

The conversation will be hosted by Professors Megan Munsie (MCRI) and Mark Taylor (MLS) and held at Melbourne Law School.

Time: Welcome Drinks and canapes from 5.30pm. Panel event from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Location: G01, Melbourne Law School and Zoom. The event will be hybrid with zoom details will be provided closer to the date.

The Collaborative

An initiative of the Melbourne Law School, Melbourne Medical School and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, the Collaborative for Better Health and Regulation was established in 2022 to consider how regulation can support improvements to public health and healthcare. It is a truism that poor regulation can expose the public to diseases or their risk factors, frustrate effective care, deny health improvement, and risk loss of public confidence. Through linking patients, clinicians, community groups, legal professionals, policymakers and regulators with University of Melbourne academics, the Collaborative will explore the crucial role of regulation in addressing contemporary issues facing medical practice and research, enabling better care while protecting public trust.