BeSHG DNA Day essay contest

Dear BeSHG members,


As you may know the ESHG organises every year an essay and video contest for the DNA day on April 25th. Participants are secondary school students aged 14-19 year and essays are submitted by the student classroom teacher.

The essay and video contest is meant as a learning and research tool to promote knowledge of genetics within Europe. It intends to challenge students to examine, question and reflect on the importance and social implications of genetic research and its applications. Essays are expected to contain substantive, well-reasoned arguments indicative of a depth of understanding of the issues addressed by the selected essay question.

The BeSHG decided a few years ago to support the DNA day contest and to reward the best Belgian essay every year. Until now, participation has been low and we would like to spread the news among the Belgian genetics community. Therefore, if you know teachers or students who might be interested, please forward to them the attached document with all the information (in Flemish and in French).


2024 topic:

Given the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence on our lives, the ESHG has decided to make A.I. part of the contest instead of banning it. this year’s question is:

 

Ask an Artificial Intelligence chat of your choice to write a 350 word essay on the topic: “Is the human Y-chromosome vanishing in the future?” In a 750 word essay of your own, discuss the result and its consequences, should the public believe the content of the A.I. essay was actually true.

 

Sincerely yours,

On behalf of the board of the Belgian Society for Human Genetics.


Damien Lederer, chairman

damien.lederer@ipg.be


DNA day 2023 

We are pleased to announce the BeSHG winners of the 16th DNA day contest organized by the ESHG (DNA day website).  

Topic: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a type of pluripotent cells that can be obtained by reprogramming animal and human differentiated cells. Give your opinion on what opportunities this technology should be used for, and what potential applications should be avoided. Support your reasoning with examples.

BeSGH announces the following Belgian essay as winner of 2023: Winning essay

Congratulations to the following students: Gabrielle Vonckx, Maé Alazraki, Bérénice Frenk, & Eulalie Peulens. 

Prof. responsable : Arnaud Vincent (Collège Cardinal Mercier - Braine-l'Alleud)