Webinar Recordings

From time to time, social workers support whānau who are undergoing DNA testing. This can be a very stressful time – do you know what’s involved for whānau? 

This talk provided insight into the many testing options available for establishing a biological relationship between individuals. Amanda also discusses the process involved in DNA testing, including who needs to consent to testing and how that is obtained. The samples from which DNA can be successfully tested and the limitations of the testing will be covered as well as a brief overview of how you can interpret the report. The session ended with some case studies and examples of some of the testing undertaken.

Presenter bio: 
Dr Amanda Dixon-Mciver is the Laboratory Director of IGENZ/DNA Diagnostics which is primarily a clinical genetics laboratory who also do DNA profiling including paternity and relationship testing. DNA Diagnostics, established in 1989, is the only ISO 15189-accredited parentage testing laboratory in Aotearoa. All results are NZ court-approved and undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Family Proceedings Act (1980). Amanda joined IGENZ in 2010 and has over 30 years’ experience in clinical laboratories both in Aotearoa and overseas. In 2019 she was awarded a Service Excellence Award by the Human Genetics society of Australasia (HGSA) for outstanding service to the HGSA as well as for the significant contribution that she has made in the field of human genetics.