Newswise — BOSTON (June 6, 2011) - The 3rd Annual Consumer Genetics Conference, a yearly forum designed to spark meaningful conversation on the current state of direct-to-consumer genetics and shape the future of the field, will convene June 7 through June 9 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. This event will bring together the field’s preeminent researchers, clinicians, government regulators and industry leaders, who will provide their varying perspectives on the direction of this field, and the crucial topics surrounding its implications to clinical health, medicine and, increasingly, consumer products.
“The concept of the Consumer Genetics Conference was formulated when I realized that although direct-to-consumer genetics was undoubtedly going to play a major part in the lives of individuals in the years to come, it lacked direction, regulation and best practices,” said John Boyce, Founder of the Consumer Genetics Conference and President and CEO of GnuBIO. “I set out to create a forum through which divisive issues could be openly discussed, and diverse perspectives could be shared - all with the goal of shaping the consumer genetics field in a way that would ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
As in conferences past, this year’s meeting will draw speakers and conference participants that represent a broad spectrum of experiences and viewpoints. Through the course of this dynamic exchange, the future of consumer-based genetics will be examined, dissected and illuminated - bringing this scientific revolution one step closer from the lab and the living room.
One conference participant hoping to ignite this exchange is Randy Scott, Executive Chairman of Genomic Health and pioneer in the field of individualized cancer diagnostics. In his keynote address, “The Future of Genomics and Personalized Medicine,” Scott will discuss how next generation DNA and RNA sequencing will transform our understanding of cancer and significantly alter the landscape of cancer treatment. Also included in this year’s conference is a roundtable of leaders from emerging sequencing companies such as Pacific Biosciences, Complete Genomics, GnuBIO, lllumina, Nabsys, and Noblegen, who will share their vision of where the field is heading and the impact it will have.
These and other speakers will initiate a variety of conversations critical to the future of consumer genetics, including the increasing role of genetic counselors, the evolving business model of direct-to-consumer companies, the investment banking perspective, and the bioethical and legal implications of this pioneering field.
For more information on the 3rd Annual Consumer Genetics Conference, including registration, tickets and a full list of speakers, please visit http://www.consumergeneticsconference.com/
About the Consumer Genetics ConferenceNow in its third year, the Consumer Genetics Conference (www.consumergeneticsconference.com) was founded as a venue where all interested parties can discuss the challenges, implications and advances in bringing genetic information to the consumer market. Attendees represent a mix of clinicians, researchers, industry members, genetic counselors, regulatory agencies and members of large consumer companies. CGC is a meeting where all views on consumer genetics can be heard, giving the community an opportunity to shape itself and plan its future.
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