Information on the Irish Citizen Panel on osteoarthritis in Galway 
Will it be possible to regrow bones, to generate cartilage in the body and to stop joint inflammation effectively in 20 years time? What risks and ethical aspects are associated with such visions? What do patients and citizens need and want?
The aim of the project is that you as a citizen provide feedback at an early stage to the scientists involved in this research. Once the scientists are aware of your needs, your ideas and your concerns they can consider these in their research. As a participant you will be able to discuss your ideas with researchers and will contribute to the development of new therapy approaches.
For the citizen panel we are looking for interested citizens from the Galway area, who would like to learn about research projects in the area of osteoarthritis and who would like to have their opinion heard. If you are at least 18 years old and you have four days to spare in May and June 2012 (see application form) please apply to participate by completing the application form.
The panels will introduce you to the topic of innovative basic research into osteoarthritis and – depending on your interests – to further background information on gene therapy, stem cell research and nanomedicine. All participants will get their say in the discussions on the chances, risks and the ethical and social aspects of the visionary therapy. You will be looked after by an experienced team of facilitators, who will ensure that all information is easy to understand and that the task is manageable.
The result of your endeavours will be a citizen opinion that investigates the GAMBA topics from the vantage point of interested citizens. You will draw up recommendations for the scientific world as well as for other sectors of society such as industry and politics regarding the chances, risks and ethical aspects of the novel osteoarthritis research. A patient panel has already taken place and now your opinion as an engaged citizen is needed for a well-rounded end result.
If you would like to participate in the citizen panel, please download the application form and return it to us (you can also complete the form online). We will then put together a group of about 20 people, which are selected according to criteria such as age, gender, and nationality to ensure a diverse citizen panel.
We are pleased about your interest in the citizen panel. Please apply! Deadline: May 4th 2012
Mary Murphy, Eric Farrell, Christine Ritter (NUIG team)
Paula Weir (facilitator, Dublin), Katharina Zoeller (project leader public dialogues, ScienceDialogue, Germany)
Download Science Dialogue Gamba Summary