Newswise — Scientists, armed with ever more powerful genome-scanning technologies, are pushing the frontiers of knowledge of the genes underlying myriad human diseases. In the past year several companies have started to offer consumers the ability to peek into their genomes through whole-genome scanning or sequencing. However, research on the human genome has made clear that there is much still to learn about our DNA, and that the relationship between genes, lifestyle, and disease is rarely simple. And whole-genome scanning " not to mention sequencing " doesn't come cheap.
The Genetics and Public Policy Center will take stock of this state of affairs at its next Genetic Perspectives on Policy Seminar (GenePOPS), to be held Tuesday, June 10 at 2:00 pm. The seminar, "The Molecular Full Monty: Personal Genomes, Personal Health," will take place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, and will be free and open to the public.
Speakers will address questions such as: What can gene tests tell you about your future health, and what are their limitations? Is more information always useful and desirable? How do consumers use their results?
We hope you will join us for this timely event. Please RSVP at http://www.dnapolicy.org/event.registration.php?event_id=33
Moderator Kathy Hudson, director, Genetics and Public Policy Center, Johns Hopkins University
Panel George Church, professor of genetics and director, Center for Computational Genetics, Harvard Medical School
Henry T. "Hank" Greely, Deane F. and Kate Edelman Johnson Professor of Law, Stanford University
Colleen McBride, chief and senior investigator, Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health
Robert Green, co-director, Alzheimer's Disease Clinical & Research Program, and professor of neurology, genetics, and epidemiology, Boston University
The four speakers will be followed by panel discussion, reporter questions, and audience Q & A.
2:00 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 10 National Press Club 529 14th Street, N.W. -- 13th Floor Washington, D.C. 20045
About GenePOPS: To explore the areas being touched by human genetic technologies and foster discussion about their impact, the Genetics and Public Policy Center hosts a regular lecture and discussion series in Washington, D.C. called Genetics Perspectives on Policy Seminars - GenePOPS, for short. GenePOPS feature experts from relevant disciplines who come together to share thoughts and answer questions about genetic technologies and science policy.
The Genetics and Public Policy Center is supported at The Johns Hopkins University's Berman Bioethics Institute by The Pew Charitable Trusts, and by research funding from the National Human Genome Research Institute. The Center's mission is to create the environment and tools needed by decision makers in both the private and public sectors to carefully consider and respond to the challenges and opportunities that arise from scientific advances in human genetics.
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