PURPOSE: To explore the experience of medical genetics professionals who volunteered in the DNA identification efforts after Hurricane Katrina to identify "lessons learned" and plan for future recovery efforts. METHODS: A web-based survey was administered to volunteers in the Fall of 2007. RESULTS: Sixty-six individuals (75%) completed the survey. Eighty-six percent volunteered because they felt their skills as genetics professional were needed and 46% desired additional training on the molecular aspects of kinship analysis. Most (97%) reported that they would like to see the genetics community become actively involved in further developing the role of genetics professionals in mass fatality response. All respondents (100%) would volunteer again. CONCLUSION: Developing a registry of volunteers and educational materials tailored to the needs of genetics professionals should be explored as a mechanism to prepare the genetics community to play an active role in future mass fatality response.
PURPOSE: To explore the experience of medical genetics professionals who volunteered in the DNA identification efforts after Hurricane Katrina to identify "lessons learned" and plan for future recovery efforts. METHODS: A web-based survey was administered to volunteers in the Fall of 2007. RESULTS: Sixty-six individuals (75%) completed the survey. Eighty-six percent volunteered because they felt their skills as genetics professional were needed and 46% desired additional training on the molecular aspects of kinship analysis. Most (97%) reported that they would like to see the genetics community become actively involved in further developing the role of genetics professionals in mass fatality response. All respondents (100%) would volunteer again. CONCLUSION: Developing a registry of volunteers and educational materials tailored to the needs of genetics professionals should be explored as a mechanism to prepare the genetics community to play an active role in future mass fatality response.
Authors: Elizabeth Barnert; Sara H Katsanis; Ranit Mishori; Jennifer K Wagner; Richard F Selden; Diana Madden; Dan Berger; Henry Erlich; Kathryn Hampton; Andreas Kleiser; Alessandra La Vaccara; Thomas J Parsons; Fredy A Peccerelli; Mariana Herrera Piñero; Michael J Stebbins; Patricia Vásquez; Curren W Warf; Thomas J White; Eric Stover; M Veronica Svetaz Journal: Science Date: 2021-05-27 Impact factor: 63.714