*** MEDIA ALERT ***
Ethical Boundaries in Cancer Genetics
May 26 - 29, 1999 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Hosts International Symposium
WHAT: "Ethical Boundaries in Cancer Genetics," organized by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The country's leading legal and theological experts will come together with top cancer researchers for innovative discussions and arguments regarding the ethical and practical issues of genetic screening, susceptibility and new therapies as they relate to cancer research. Join these experts and leaders, as they discuss how genetic screening will impact daily, but major, life decisions. The symposium will be held at the Memphis Marriott-Downtown Hotel in Memphis, Tenn.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
* Ellen Wright Clayton, M.D., J.D. -- DNA Banks and Human Research on Cancer Genetics Dr. Clayton will discuss the debate concerning how stored medical records and tissue samples should be used in research, including how this affects patient privacy and confidentiality. Additionally, Dr. Clayton will debate the National Bioethics Advisory Commission's recent proposals for the use of stored tissue samples and national and state legislative activity and will propose her own guidelines for DNA banks and tissue repositories.
* Peter C. Doherty, Ph.D., Nobel Laureate -- Immunization and Immunotherapy
Dr. Doherty discusses the ethical issues and responsibility of mandatory immunization and immunotherapy programs for children and why a growing number of younger parents, especially in Western countries, object to the idea of mandatory vaccinations. Dr. Doherty will argue that decreasing vaccinations can lead to potential infectious disease disasters that can affect our own children and other children both in the United States and around the world.
* Judy E. Garber, M.D., M.P.H. -- Genetic Screening: The Breast Cancer Experience
r. Garber will discuss genetic testing for inherited susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer and the strains that genetic or such testing places on the individuals and their families, as well as the physician. Dr. Garber will also discuss the testing of children and fetuses for breast and ovarian cancer and the dilemmas parents face because of this new technology.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Anna Gonowon; (312) 856-8854, [email protected]
Liza Helms; (312) 856-8809, [email protected]
Bert Kelly; (901) 495-2982, [email protected]
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