ABOUT US
Geneticlea was born out of an urgent need for change.
Our founder witnessed firsthand the systemic barriers that ethnic minority communities—particularly the Black community—face when navigating the worlds of genetics and healthcare. From a lack of representation and culturally sensitive education to deep-seated historic mistrust in healthcare systems, the gap in equitable access to life-saving genetic services has remained unaddressed for far too long.
Frustrated by the persistent lack of recognition and targeted interventions to tackle these disparities, Geneticlea was established to bridge this divide. We believe that life-saving genetic insight and healthcare support should not be a privilege determined by background, but a universal right.
Why is this important?
To create true health equity, we must confront the root causes of disparity head-on. Geneticlea exists to address the critical challenges holding back marginalised communities:
Awareness & Representation
Building clear pathways to information about how genetic health directly impacts individuals and families.
Education & Understanding
Translating complex medical and genetic concepts into accessible, practical, and culturally relevant knowledge.
Family Communication
Encouraging and facilitating open dialogue about hereditary health and medical histories within families and across generations.
Trust & Advocacy
Rebuilding trust between underserved communities and healthcare professionals through open dialogue, transparency, and support.
THE FOUNDER
LEANNE BARRETT — With over 5 years of experience WORKING AS A GENETIC COUNSELLOR in a clinical genetics service, Leanne has a breadth of exposure to the world of genetics and rare disease. LEANNE is dedicated to empowering ethnic minority communities through raising awareness of genetics and healthcare.