Catchup – Salon Debate – Should Genetic Testing for Dementia Be Routine?

Should everyone over 40 be offered genetic testing for dementia risk? Join Dr Oscar Lazo and Professor Terry Quinn for a live debate on 29 Oct at 8pm GMT and cast your vote.

Debate Motion:

This House would make genetic testing for dementia risk available to everyone over 40.

As interest in personalised medicine grows, so too does access to genetic risk profiling. But would universal testing empower people with knowledge, or raise ethical, psychological, and practical concerns? Join us to debate whether routine access to dementia risk testing should be part of everyday healthcare.

Speaker For the Motion:

Dr Oscar Lazo is Research Fellow, in the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London. There he has been developing a research programme to use what is known about Rab10 small GTPase and its role in the endosomal plasticity to provide novel therapeutic targets against dementia, especially in the context of Down Syndrome.

Speaker Against the Motion:

Professor Terry Quinn is the David Cargill Chair of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on stroke, cognition, and trial methodology. He leads the Scottish Brain Health ARC, sits on national and international guideline and review boards, and works to ensure research informs both clinical practice and policy.

What to Expect

Join us for a live online debate where our speakers will present opposing views on the continued relevance of animal models in dementia research. The session will include:

• 10-minute opening statements from each speaker
• Moderated discussion
• Audience Q&A
• Live vote before and after the debate to see if opinions shift

Whether you’re firmly for, firmly against, or somewhere in between, come along and be part of the conversation.