ASHKENAZI JEWISH GENETIC DISEASES

Terry Delovitch

DESCRIPTION: Ashkenazi Jews, genetically a relatively homogeneous population, are at increased risk for several inherited disorders. They have benefited from genetic screening for these disorders, with significant reductions in specific diseases, e.g., Tay-Sachs disease. The screening aids in the identification of individuals (parents and children) who are genetically predisposed to specific diseases, is now possible by DNA-based testing. These important genetic considerations, and their impact on genetic screening and counseling before and after testing is performed, will be discussed, and will include approximately 20 Ashkenazi Jewish genetic disorders as well as 3 types of cancer: breast, colon and prostate. PowerPoint slides will be used to enhance this one-time lecture. One’s understanding of the genetic susceptibility to disease, current knowledge of the human genome, and the impact of recent research on the inheritance, screening and treatment of genetic disorders, and cancers in the Ashkenazi Jewish population will be increased.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Dr. Terry Delovitch holds a BSc (Honours Chemistry) and a Ph.D. (Chemistry/Immunology) from McGill University. Dr. Delovitch received his postdoctoral training at MIT (Biology/Immunology) and Stanford University (Medicine/ Immunology). In 1976, he was appointed Assistant Professor (Banting & Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto) and rose through the ranks to Full Professor (1984) at the University of Toronto. In 1994, he was appointed as the first Director of a new Autoimmune Disease Group on Type 1 Diabetes at the Robarts Research Institute, University Western Ontario (UWO) from which he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2011. Dr. Delovitch has received several academic awards; has published a total of 190 scientific papers and book chapters; was Chief Scientific Advisor of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada and Past-President of the International Immunology of Diabetes Society; and continues to be a consultant for several biotech/pharma companies, at granting agencies and at a national research network in allergy, asthma and immunology.