Advances in DNA technology elicit fascinating questions about what role it will play in our society, from personalized medicine to food security to criminal justice and individual rights to privacy.

Experts at Arizona State University have tackled the big questions surrounding DNA in a comprehensive, three-part series.  In addition to addressing the DNA-associated issues we face today, the experts outline the ethical and legislative actions that should be put in place to protect our genetic future.

Reprint is authorized with attribution to ASU Now, and experts are available to address questions in their respective research areas. 

A three-part series 

Experts:

  • Melissa Wilson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences:
    • Expertise: Evolution and computational biology
  • Joshua LaBaer, Ph.D, M.D., Executive Director, ASU Biodesign Institute
    • Expertise: Personalized diagnostics, discovery and validation of biomarkers
  • Samira Kiani, M.D., Assistant Professor, School of Biological Health Systems Engineering
    • Expertise: CRISPR, Synthetic Biology
  • Ben Hurlbut, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences
    • Expertise: DNA Science Ethics, the intersection of science and technology studies, bioethics and political theory
  • Andrew Maynard, Ph.D., Professor, School for the Future of Innovation in Society
  • Oya Yazgan, Ph.D., Molecular Biologist, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts
    • Expertise: Gene regulation and molecular signaling mechanisms, genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
  • Gary Marchant, J.D. Ph.D., Regents Professor of Law, ASU Center for Law, Science and Innovation
    • Expertise: Legal aspects of genomics and personalized medicine, Genetics and the law, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), DNA ownership
  • Diana Bowman, Ph.D., GDLP, Associate Dean & Professor, Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes
    • Expertise:  Smarter governance and regulation of emerging technologies within ethical, legal and societal dimensions
  • Jamie Winterton, M.S., Director of Strategy, ASU Global Security Initiative
    • Expertise: Privacy advocacy, human and social dimensions of science and technology
  • Dragan Boscovic, Ph.D., Research Professor, Director ASU Blockchain Research Lab
    • Expertise:  Using blockchain’s decentralized, digital ledger system to protect personal information, like medical records and DNA results
  • Adam Doupé, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Director, Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
    • Expertise: Vulnerability analysis, network security, hacking DNA
  • Sreetharan Kanthaswamy, Ph.D., Director, ASU Evolutionary and Genetic Forensic Laboratory
    • Expertise: Forensic use of DNA, Evolutionary and population genetics
  • Kimberly Kobojek, M.S., Clinical Associate Professor, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
    • Expertise: ODIS database and long-term ramifications of widespread DNA collection and storage; Forensic DNA analysis of "touch DNA”

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