S6.13: Kings, car parks and consent: should we sequence DNA from human remains?
Hello, and welcome to Genetics Unzipped - the Genetics Society podcast, with me, Dr Sally Le Page. In this episode we’re venturing into ancient territory and archaeological digs, excavating the complex ethics of extracting and sequencing DNA from human remains.
In our last episode, Kat discussed what we can learn from extracting DNA from artefacts we leave behind, whether it be a chewing gum or a lock of Da Vinci’s hair…
This week, we’re flipping the topic on its head and asking: should we sequence that DNA in the first place? Or should old artefacts remain buried and untouched?
Is it ok to dig up remains for the sole purpose of getting genetic information out of them? And how far back is it acceptable to do this kind of research?
Remains of King Richard III. Image: Buckley et al (2013)
Turi King: Digging up the past with DNA sequencing
Professor Turi King led the genetic identification on the remains of King Richard III in a carpark in Leicester. We chat about what that experience was like, the ethics of sequencing long-dead humans and who should be involved in those ethical decisions.
Click here to read the full transcript…
Congratulations to the winner and runner-up of our art competition!
As part of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the double helix, The Genetics Society held an art competition for school students. They were invited to submit artwork based on the theme: DNA Past Present and Future, and today the winners are announced!
The runner-up is Hashim Siraj, age 14, who used paper and acrylic paint to create a colourful Rorschach-esque piece in double. And the winner is Isla Scott, age 14, who created a punchy front page featuring archive news headlines about genetics. Congratulations to both students, who have won vouchers for themselves and their schools, and Isla’s artwork will be on the cover of the society’s journal, Heredity.
For more information about this podcast including show notes, transcripts, links, references and everything else head over to geneticsunzipped.com You can find us on Twitter @geneticsunzip and please do take a moment to leave us a rating in the Spotify app or review us on Apple podcasts - it really makes a difference and helps more people discover the show.
This episode of Genetics Unzipped was written, presented and produced by me, Sally Le Page. It’s a First Create the Media production for The Genetics Society - one of the oldest learned societies dedicated to promoting research, training, teaching and public engagement in all areas of genetics. You can find out more and apply to join at genetics.org.uk. The executive producer is Kat Arney, our theme music was composed by Dan Pollard, the logo was designed by James Mayall, and audio production was by Emma Werner. Thanks for listening, and until next time, goodbye.
