Begins: June 10, 2008, 2:00 pm
Ends: June 10, 2008, 3:30 pm
Location: National Press Club
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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.

George Church will speak first, giving an overview of the science of whole genome testing – what we are learning about the genetic contributors to common diseases, the potentially transformational nature of this information, the types of whole genome testing that are becoming increasingly available to the public, and his experience with offering this type of testing. Hank Greely will then discuss the ethical and legal issues whole-genome testing raises. Colleen McBride will talk about why people might want to be tested and what they will do with the information, and lastly Robert Green will describe his own experience with whole genome testing.

We hope you will join us for this timely event.

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, professor of neurology, genetics and epidemiology, Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health

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.