Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs Theme: Outline for Participants

Possible Questions for the Breakout Sessions: Harmonization/ Genetics 

• Quality measures for genetic test providers are key to recognising laboratories that aim to provide a robust and reliable product. How do we:
  • Identify and prioritise quality measures that are reasonable for laboratories to achieve (short, medium, and long-term) and provide the necessary information to owners?
  • Ensure useful communication with the public to help them to make good, and informed provider choices?
  • Work with commercial test providers, (and others) to ensure clear communication, consistent and accurate data collection, and ensure laboratory practices are communicated in a fair and balanced manner?
• How can we develop genetic testing validation? Proficiency testing has had success in other species – how can we do this for the dog? 
• How can we keep balance, independence, and energy to contribute to the independent review of DNA tests? 
• How do we making genetic counselling and advice accurate, accessible to the general public, and fundamentally helpful to improve the health and welfare of the dog? 
  • Genetic counselling for “whole dog health” 
  • Independent opinions and review of current and emerging DNA tests/ technologies

  • Discouraging poor laboratory and testing practices

• Where do we go from here? 

  • Funding the next phases of database development and maintenance; increasing collaboration
  • Proficiency testing development and funding
• How do we ensure that the structure of the Harmonization project remains independent but collaborative?

Possible Specific Outcomes Harmonization/ Genetics Theme:

• Develop the project to provide a proficiency testing scheme for dogs
• Create working groups to continue the development of test validation and the database, specifically to:
  • Identify and develop new accreditations or validation schemes
  • Determine processes for the assessment of laboratory QM’s – what is accepted, published, non-sense, national vs. international, etc.  
  • Clear communication of QM’s – how does the public make an informed choice? 
  • Descriptions and glossaries of complex terms and processes, such as test descriptions, what “patents’ mean, and various accreditations schemes (i.e. ISO accreditation). 
• Progressing Phase 2 of the harmonization project through working groups and project development on genetic counselling – identifying any leaders, current resources, and potential funding or funding recommendations
• The recommendations of the group to ensure a long-term business model, funding, and active participation/knowledge contribution from experts and participants
• Recommendations for public engagement and uptake of the database by the public, and relevant user stakeholders such as breed clubs, kennel clubs, advisory bodies etc. 

 
Organisation of Breakout Session:
Time frame (refer to 3rd International Dog Health Workshop Paris 2017: Program Schedule, Speakers and Breakout Themes):

• To be accomplished before 1st Sharing session on Saturday at 16:05-17:45
  • Breakouts: 11:15 - 13:00 and 14:30-15:45 Saturday
    • Introduction 
      • Explain the background for the group and what tasks are required
      • Explain discussion format; facilitator’s role 
    • Short specific presentations:
      • Sue Pearce-Kelling on the Laboratory’s roles and responsibilities 
      • Wim Van Haeringen on ICAR’s development of proficiency testing for parentage profiling
      • Aimee Llewellyn-Zaidi, presentation on the database prototype
      • Cathryn Mellersh on possibilities for proficiency testing (disease) for the dog
        • Address questions, identify and prioritise issues, identify additional urgent development for the prototype, phase 2 and longer-term development for Harmonization
        •  
• To be accomplished before 2nd Sharing session on Sunday 10 :45-13 :00
  • Breakout: 08 :30-10 :15 Sunday
    •  Identify specific next-steps for database development
    • Assign names and/or identify leaders of working groups and initiatives
    • Identify issues that would benefit from addressing in a different/additional DHW session