Profiles
Rebekah McWhirter
Rebekah McWhirter
Senior Research Fellow
Room 2.21 , Law
+61 3 6226 4605 (phone)
Dr Rebekah McWhirter is a senior research fellow with the Centre for Law and Genetics, Faculty of Law, and Deputy Chair of the Health and Medical Human Research Ethics Committee. Her research interests include ethical and legal issues in health, Indigenous genetics, and empirical research methods in ethical and legal research.
Biography
Rebekah completed her PhD at the University of Tasmania, on the history of compulsory vaccination legislation, before joining Menzies as a project officer in the cancer genetics group, working on familial studies of prostate cancer and haematological malignancies in Tasmania. She then undertook a MSc in Public Health Research at the University of Edinburgh, supported by the Scots Australia scholarship, and focusing on an investigation of genetic risk factors for multiple sclerosis in the Orkney and Shetland Islands.
Returning to Australia, she joined a research team at the Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin, and managed a genetic study of a vulvar cancer cluster among young Aboriginal women in East Arnhem Land. In 2012, she returned to Menzies in Hobart, continuing her work on vulvar cancer genetics and, in collaboration with members of the Centre of Law and Genetics in the Faculty of Law, also researching ethical and legal issues in genetic research.
In 2018, she joined the Centre for Law and Genetics officially, where she works on ethical and legal issues in genomics and healthcare.
Career summary
Qualifications
- BA (Hons I), University of Tasmania, Australia, 2003. Doctoring Status: the BMA in Tasmania 1911-1930
- PhD, University of Tasmania, Australia, 2008. 'Lymph or Liberty': Responses to Smallpox Vaccination in the Eastern Australian Colonies
- MSc (with Distinction), University of Edinburgh, UK. 2010. Genetic Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis in the Northern Isles of Scotland
Memberships
Professional practice
- Deputy Chair, Health and Medical Human Research Ethics Committee (Tasmania Network)
- Co-leader, Empirical Ethics stream, Australasian Association for Bioethics and Health Law
- Board member, Women’s Health Tasmania
- Professional memberships: Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law, Human Genetics Society of Australasia, and Australasian Genomic Technologies Association
Teaching
Research ethics, Cancer genetics, Indigenous health, Health law
Teaching expertise
Rebekah has coordinated LAW695 Law and Ethics of Health Care, CNA001 Patients’ Rights, and CAD206 Ethical and Legal Aspects of Dementia Care. She has also lectured into LAW252 Foundations of Private Law, LAW121 Intro to Law, LAW256 Torts, XBR120 Complementary Medicines in Contemporary Society, CEA301 Human Genetics, and on legal and ethical topics for first and second year medicine.
Research Appointments
- Member of the Ethics and Social Issues Committee of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (2015-2016)
- Member of the Health and Medical Human Research Ethics Committee (Tasmania Network) (2012-present)
- Co-leader of the Empirical Ethics stream of the Australasian Association for Bioethics and Health Law (2017-present)
View more on Dr Rebekah McWhirter in WARP
Expertise
Rebekah's research interests include ethical and legal issues in genetic research and health care, Indigenous genetics, and empirical research methods in ethical and legal research. Her work has been supported by funding from NHMRC, ARC, and MRFF, on projects including: the genetic investigation of a vulvar cancer cluster among young Indigenous women living in East Arnhem; an investigation of community attitudes to biobanking; and projects aimed at improving informed consent processes for research. She is currently working on an ARC Discovery Grant project, “Genomic Data Sharing: Issues in Law, Research Ethics and Society”.
Research Themes
Rebekah's research aligns to the University's research theme of Better Health. Her research interests include indigenous health, ethical and legal issues in genetic research, and methods for identifying genetic risk factors for disease in isolated populations.
Fields of Research
- Gene mapping (310506)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public health and wellbeing (450417)
- Bioethics (500101)
Research Objectives
- Expanding knowledge in the health sciences (280112)
- Expanding knowledge in law and legal studies (280117)
Publications
Total publications
40
Journal Article
(35 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Chapman N, Fonseca R, Murfett L, Beazley K, McWhirter RE, et al., 'Integration of absolute cardiovascular disease risk assessment into routine blood cholesterol testing at pathology services', Family Practice pp. 1-7. ISSN 0263-2136 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa034 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Chapman N; Fonseca R; Schultz MG; Nelson MR; Sharman JE | |
| 2020 | Chapman N, McWhirter R, Armstrong MK, Fonseca R, Campbell JA, et al., 'Self-directed multimedia process for delivering participant informed consent', BMJ Open, 10, (7) Article e036977. ISSN 2044-6055 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-036977 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Chapman N; Fonseca R; Campbell JA; Nelson M; Schultz MG; Sharman JE | |
| 2020 | Chapman N, McWhirter RE, Schultz MG, Ezzy D, Nelson MR, et al., 'General practitioner perceptions of assessment and reporting of absolute cardiovascular disease risk via pathology services: a qualitative study', Family Practice pp. 1-8. ISSN 0263-2136 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa107 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Chapman N; Schultz MG; Ezzy D; Nelson MR; Sharman JE | |
| 2020 | Easteal S, Arkell RM, Balboa RF, Bellingham SA, Brown AD, et al., 'Equitable expanded carrier screening needs Indigenous clinical and population genomic data', American Journal of Human Genetics, 107, (2) pp. 175-182. ISSN 0002-9297 (2020) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2020 | McWhirter R, Eckstein L, Chalmers D, Critchley C, Nielsen J, et al., 'A scenario-based methodology for analyzing the ethical, legal, and social issues in genomic data sharing', Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 15, (4) pp. 355-364. ISSN 1556-2654 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1177/1556264620920460 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Eckstein L; Chalmers D; Critchley C; Nielsen J; Otlowski M; Nicol D | |
| 2019 | Chauhan G, Adams HHH, Satizabal CL, Bis JC, Teumer A, et al., 'Genetic and lifestyle risk factors for MRI-defined brain infarcts in a population-based setting', Neurology, 92, (5) pp. e486-e503. ISSN 0028-3878 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006851 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 8Web of Science - 10 Co-authors: Srikanth V; Callisaya M | |
| 2019 | Jeanneret R, Spiranovic C, Eckstein L, McWhirter R, Arstein-Kerslake A, et al., 'Enhancing early detection of cognitive impairment in the criminal justice system: feasibility of a proposed method', Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 31, (1) pp. 60-74. ISSN 1034-5329 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/10345329.2018.1556283 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Jeanneret R; Spiranovic C; Eckstein L; Arstein-Kerslake A; Scanlan J; Kirkby K; Vickers J | |
| 2019 | McWhirter R, Johnston C, Burke J, 'Disclosure of genetic results to at-risk relatives without consent: issues for health care professionals in Australia', Journal of Law and Medicine, 27, (1) pp. 108-121. ISSN 1320-159X (2019) [Refereed Article] PMID: 31682345 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 3 Co-authors: Burke J | |
| 2019 | McWhirter RE, Otahal P, Taylor-Thomson D, Maypilama EL, Rumbold AR, et al., 'Recurrence patterns identify aggressive form of human papillomavirus-dependent vulvar cancer', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology pp. 1-7. ISSN 0004-8666 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13075 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Otahal P; Dickinson JL | |
| 2018 | Eckstein L, Chalmers D, Critchley C, Jeanneret R, McWhirter R, et al., 'Australia: regulating genomic data sharing to promote public trust', Human Genetics, 137, (8) pp. 583-591. ISSN 1432-1203 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s00439-018-1914-z [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 17 Co-authors: Eckstein L; Chalmers D; Critchley C; Jeanneret R; Nielsen J; Otlowski M; Nicol D | |
| 2018 | McWhirter R, 'Regulation of unregistered birth workers in Australia: Homebirth and public safety', Women and Birth, 31, (2) pp. 134-142. ISSN 1871-5192 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2017.06.023 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 2 | |
| 2018 | McWhirter RE, Eckstein L, 'Moving forward on consent practices in Australia', Journal of Bioethical Inquiry: an interdisciplinary forum for ethical and legal debate, 15, (2) pp. 243-257. ISSN 1176-7529 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s11673-018-9843-z [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4 Co-authors: Eckstein L | |
| 2018 | Nielsen J, Bubela T, Chalmers DRC, Johns A, Kahl L, et al., 'Provenance and risk in transfer of biological materials', PLOS Biology, 16, (8) Article e2006031. ISSN 1544-9173 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006031 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Nielsen J; Chalmers DRC; Scheibner J; Whitton T; Nicol D | |
| 2017 | Ben-Avraham D, Karasik D, Verghese J, Lunetta KL, Smith JA, et al., 'The complex genetics of gait speed: genome-wide meta-analysis approach', Aging, 9, (1) pp. 209-246. ISSN 1945-4589 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.18632/aging.101151 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 11Web of Science - 12 Co-authors: Callisaya ML; Thomson R; Srikanth VK | |
| 2017 | Critchley C, Nicol D, McWhirter R, 'Identifying public expectations of genetic biobanks', Public Understanding of Science, 26, (6) pp. 671-687. ISSN 0963-6625 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1177/0963662515623925 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 13Web of Science - 12 Co-authors: Nicol D | |
| 2017 | McWhirter R, 'Informed consent and performance data: clinician experience as a material risk', University of New South Wales Law Journal, 40, (2) pp. 566-589. ISSN 0313-0096 (2017) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2017 | McWhirter R, 'Performance data and informed consent: a duty to disclose?', Medical Journal of Australia, 207, (3) pp. 100-101. ISSN 0025-729X (2017) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] | |
| 2017 | Nicol D, Eckstein L, Morrison M, Sherkow JS, Otlowski M, et al., 'Key challenges in bringing CRISPR-mediated somatic cell therapy into the clinic', Genome Medicine, 9, (1) Article 85. ISSN 1756-994X (2017) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] DOI: 10.1186/s13073-017-0475-4 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 7Web of Science - 6 Co-authors: Nicol D; Eckstein L; Otlowski M; Burdon KP; Chalmers D; Charlesworth J; Dickinson JL; Hewitt AW; Mackey DA; Nielsen J | |
| 2017 | Nicol D, McWhirter R, Dickinson J, 'Implementing values-based governance for a new bioresource model', Journal of Law and the Biosciences, 4, (2) pp. 404-411. ISSN 2053-9711 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/jlb/lsx007 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 Co-authors: Nicol D; Dickinson J | |
| 2016 | Adams HHH, Hibar DP, Chouraki V, Stein JL, Nyquist PA, et al., 'Novel genetic loci underlying human intracranial volume identified through genome-wide association', Nature Neuroscience, 19, (12) pp. 1569-1582. ISSN 1097-6256 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/nn.4398 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 103Web of Science - 99 Co-authors: Srikanth V | |
| 2016 | McWhirter RE, Otlowski M, 'Regulation of non-consensual genetic testing in Australia: use of samples from deceased persons', Journal of Law and Medicine, 24 pp. 150-165. ISSN 1320-159X (2016) [Refereed Article] Co-authors: Otlowski M | |
| 2016 | Nicol D, Bubela T, Chalmers D, Charbonneau J, Critchley C, et al., 'Precision medicine: drowning in a regulatory soup?', Journal of Law and the Biosciences, 3, (2) pp. 281-303. ISSN 2053-9711 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/jlb/lsw018 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 13Web of Science - 12 Co-authors: Nicol D; Chalmers D; Charbonneau J; Dickinson J; Hewitt AW; Otlowski M | |
| 2016 | Nicol D, Critchley C, McWhirter R, Whitton T, 'Understanding public reactions to commercialization of biobanks and use of biobank resources', Social Science & Medicine, 162 pp. 79-87. ISSN 0277-9536 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.06.028 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 20Web of Science - 23 Co-authors: Nicol D; Critchley C; Whitton T | |
| 2015 | Kowal E, Greenwood A, McWhirter RE, 'All in the blood: a review of Aboriginal Australians' cultural beliefs about blood and implications for biospecimen research', Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 10, (4) pp. 347-359. ISSN 1556-2646 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1177/1556264615604521 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 11Web of Science - 14 | |
| 2015 | McWhirter R, Nicol D, Savulescu J, 'Genomics in research and health care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples', Monash Bioethics Review, 33, (2-3) pp. 203-209. ISSN 1836-6716 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s40592-015-0037-8 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 4 Co-authors: Nicol D | |
| 2014 | Chalmers D, McWhirter RE, Nicol D, Whitton T, Otlowski M, et al., 'New avenues within community engagement: addressing the ingenuity gap in our approach to health research and future provision of health care', Journal of Responsible Innovation, 1, (3) pp. 321-328. ISSN 2329-9460 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/23299460.2014.963002 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 8 Co-authors: Chalmers D; Nicol D; Whitton T; Otlowski M; Critchley C; Dickinson JL | |
| 2014 | McWhirter RE, Critchley CR, Nicol D, Chalmers DRC, Whitton TC, et al., 'Community Engagement for Big Epidemiology: Deliberative Democracy as a Tool', Journal of Personalized Medicine, 4, (4) pp. 459-474. ISSN 2075-4426 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/jpm4040459 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Critchley CR; Nicol D; Chalmers DRC; Whitton TC; Otlowski MFA; Dickinson JL | |
| 2014 | McWhirter RE, Marthick JR, Boyle JA, Dickinson JL, 'Genetic and epigenetic variation in vulvar cancer: Current research and future clinical practice', The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 54, (5) pp. 406-411. ISSN 1479-828X (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/ajo.12241 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 4 Co-authors: Marthick JR; Dickinson JL | |
| 2014 | McWhirter RE, Thomson RJ, Marthick JR, Rumbold AR, Brown MA, et al., 'Runs of homozygosity and a cluster of vulvar cancer in young Australian Aboriginal women', Gynecologic Oncology, 133, (3) pp. 421-426. ISSN 0090-8258 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.03.566 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 9Web of Science - 9 Co-authors: Thomson RJ; Marthick JR; Dickinson JL | |
| 2013 | McWhirter RE, Nicol D, Chalmers D, Dickinson JL, 'Body ownership and research', Journal of Law and Medicine, 21 pp. 323-329. ISSN 1320-159X (2013) [Refereed Article] PMID: 24597380 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Nicol D; Chalmers D; Dickinson JL | |
| 2012 | McWhirter RE, 'The History of Bioethics: implications for current debates in health research', Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 55, (3) pp. 329-338. ISSN 0031-5982 (2012) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1353/pbm.2012.0025 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 4 | |
| 2012 | McWhirter RE, Mununggirritj D, Marika D, Dickinson JL, Condon JR, 'Ethical genetic research in Indigenous communities: challenges and successful approaches', Trends in Molecular Medicine, 18, (12) pp. 702-708. ISSN 1471-4914 (2012) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2012.08.003 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 10Web of Science - 16 Co-authors: Dickinson JL | |
| 2010 | Tegg EM, Thomson RJ, Stankovich J, Banks A, Flowers C, et al., 'Evidence for a common genetic aetiology in high-risk families with multiple haematological malignancy subtypes ', British Journal of Haematology, 150, (4) pp. 456-462. ISSN 0007-1048 (2010) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2010.08267.x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 6 Co-authors: Tegg EM; Thomson RJ; Stankovich J; Banks A; Flowers C; Panton J; Piaszczyk A; Bahlo M; Marsden KA; Lowenthal RM; Foote SJ; Dickinson JL | |
| 2009 | McWhirter R, 'Smallpox and Vaccination in Tasmania', Tasmanian Historical Research Association Papers and Proceedings, 56, (2) pp. 140-53. ISSN 0039-9809 (2009) [Non Refereed Article] | |
| 2005 | McWhirter R, 'The British Medical Association in Tasmania and the Hospital Crisis', Tasmanian Historical Research Association Papers and Proceedings, 52, (3) pp. 175-82. ISSN 0039-9809 (2005) [Non Refereed Article] |
Chapter in Book
(3 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Otlowski M, Eckstein L, McWhirter R, 'Regulation of Genetic Testing', Health Law in Australia, Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia, B White, F McDonald, L Willmott (ed), Australia, pp. 839-874. ISBN 9780455238753 (2018) [Revised Book Chapter] Co-authors: Otlowski M; Eckstein L | |
| 2017 | Thomson R, McWhirter R, 'Adjusting for Familial Relatedness in the Analysis of GWAS Data', Methods in Molecular Biology: Bioinformatics - Volume II: Structure, Function, and Applications., Humana Press, JM Keith (ed), New York, United States, pp. 175-190. ISBN 978-1-4939-6613-4 (2017) [Research Book Chapter] DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6613-4_10 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 | |
| 2014 | Nicol D, Chalmers D, McWhirter R, Dickinson J, 'Impressions on the Body, Property and Research', Persons, Parts and Property: How Should We Regulate Human Tissue in the 21st Century?, Hart Publishing Ltd, I Goold, K Greasley, J Herring, L Skene (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 9-23. ISBN 978-1849465465 (2014) [Research Book Chapter] Co-authors: Nicol D; Chalmers D; Dickinson J |
Thesis
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | McWhirter R, ''Lymph or Liberty': Responses to Smallpox Vaccination in the Eastern Australian Colonies' (2008) [PhD] |
Other Public Output
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | McWhirter RE, 'How do we 'do' consent?', Research Ethics Monthly, Australasian Human Research Ethics Consultancy Services Pty Ltd (AHRECS), Australia, 26 August 2018 (2018) [Magazine Article] |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
6
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- The purpose of this Project is to undertake an assessment of the relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation and regulations as it applies to the collection and use of health-related genomics information in the clinical and research settings, with a specific focus on current and emerging ethical, legal and social issues. This Project will deliver an evidence-based assessment of the relevant legislation and regulations and how these apply to the current and emerging ethical, legal and social issues identified, including any differences between jurisdictions. This project is intended to provide a high-level overview of the key issues and related legislative environment. It does not include development of recommendations or options to Government.
- Funding
- Department of Health (Cth) ($299,424)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Nicol D; Chalmers DRC; Otlowski MFA; Nielsen JL; Eckstein LG; McWhirter R; Kaldor JC; Taylor M
- Year
- 2020
- Description
- This project will seek to answer the following question: Does the Australian legal framework provide sufficient clarity for clinicians, researchers, the public health system and those making requests, to deal with requests for the return of raw genomic sequence data to patients and research participants? It incorporates an interview-based component that will then be used to consider how requests for raw genomic data by patients and medical research participants are likely to be treated from a legal perspective. It will produce a set of recommendations and best practice protocols.
- Funding
- Medical Research Future Fund ($388,026)
- Scheme
- Grant-Genomics Health Futures Mission ELSI scheme
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Nielsen JL; Otlowski MFA; McWhirter R
- Period
- 2020 - 2022
- Description
- This project scopes a research design to develop a method to enhance early detection of cognitive impairment.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($5,299)
- Scheme
- Grant-CAL Hothouse Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Spiranovic CA; Eckstein LG; McWhirter R; Kirkby KC; Watters P; Vickers JC; Bindoff AD
- Year
- 2017
- Description
- Aim: To develop and test a flexible platform for creating informed consent apps for healthand medical research projects
- Funding
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research ($30,000)
- Scheme
- Grant - Development Grant
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- McWhirter R
- Year
- 2016
- Description
- Cancer of the vulva is 70 times more common in young Aboriginal women in Arnhem Land than in other women. Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which also causes cervical cancer, is the usual cause of this cancer; initial investigations have found that HPV is present in these cancers but is not the reason for the excessive incidence. This study will investigate inherited risk factors contributing to the development of this diseasein this population.
- Funding
- National Health & Medical Research Council ($1,116,905)
- Scheme
- Grant-Project
- Administered By
- Menzies School of Health Research
- Research Team
- Condon J; Dickinson JL; McWhirter R; Rumbold A; Thomson RJ; Boyle J; Garvey G; Markey P
- Period
- 2014 - 2016
- Grant Reference
- 1060187
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($22,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Research Enhancement (REGS)
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- McWhirter R; Eckstein LG
- Year
- 2014
Research Supervision
Current
1
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Putting guidelines into practice | 2016 |