Keynote Lecture by Prof. Bartha Knoppers at the GHGA Annual Meeting
- 03 Nov 2026 - 03 Nov 2026
As part of the GHGA Annual Meeting 2026, we are pleased to welcome Prof. Bartha Maria Knoppers, Professor of Genomics, Ethics and Health Policy at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, for a keynote lecture.
In her lecture, “Reimagining Genetic ‘Discrimination’ with Polygenic Risk Scores?”, Prof. Knoppers will explore the growing significance of polygenic risk scores and their potential implications for genetic discrimination in an increasingly genomic future.
Prof. Bartha Maria Knoppers is Professor of Genomics, Ethics and Health Policy at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and a member of the GHGA Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Her work focuses on the ethical, legal and policy implications of genomics and the responsible governance of genomic data.
The lecture will take place on 3 November 2026 from 16:00 to 16:45 CET and will be held in a hybrid format.
In person: Marsilius Kolleg, Heidelberg
Online: via Zoom
The lecture will be held in English and we welcome all interested participants.
Abstract:
Since the 1990’s, the availability of genetic testing and screening as well as the proliferation of population biobanks and genomic reference maps have increased State protection from possible genetic discrimination particularly as concerns access to life, disability and health insurance. Since 2020, some States view the proliferation and reduced costs of whole genome sequencing as possibly exacerbating such discrimination. But, in 2026, is not access to such insurance a socioeconomic necessity for all citizens- a basic "public good"?
What has been the regulatory trajectory since the 1990’s? Considering the models already in place, can we imagine the possible integration of polygenic risk scores within this genetic discrimination landscape? The potential for polygenic science to contribute to understanding differences between risk levels in populations and to thereby contribute not only to precision medicine but also to informed State resource allocation has yet to be proven. Even more unknown is its effect on insurability to say nothing of influencing our definition of discrimination in the future. Irrespective, we could argue that if polygenic science promotes informed, equitable access to insurance and to maintaining the financial sustainability of universal health care systems through efficient resource allocation, could polygenic science not be considered a "predictive public good”?