April 18, 2008
Bill Gates III among speakers at two-day UW Genome Sciences symposium on the Personal Genome: Consequences for Society, Implications for Medicine
WHO: April 23 Speakers:
William H. Gates III, Microsoft Corporation
George Church, Harvard University
Eric Lander, Broad Institute
Leena Peltonen, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
April 24 Speakers:
George Church, Harvard University
David Haussler, University of California at Santa Cruz
Eric Lander, Broad Institute
Richard Lifton, Yale University
Leena Peltonen, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
Nancy Wexler, Columbia University
WHAT: April 23 Session — The Personal Genome: Consequences for Society; April 24 Session — The Personal Genome: Implications for Medicine
This two-day symposium will focus on the Personal Genome Project, which aims to publish the complete genomes and medical records of several volunteers to enable research into personalized medicine (using a patient’s genetic information to select medication, provide therapy, or initiate preventative measures particularly suited to that individual). Discussion will include potential risks, such as discrimination by insurers and employers if the genome shows predisposition for certain diseases. As sequencing technology becomes cheaper and societal issues are worked out, it is hoped that a large number of volunteers will participate with a long-term goal of everyone having access to his or her genotype to be used for personalized medical decisions.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 24, 10:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: April 23: Kane Hall (Room 130), UW campus, Seattle; April 24: Hogness Auditorium (Room A-420), UW Health Sciences Bldg.
Note: The April 23 event is full; however, the April 24 event is still open and registration is not required. For more information visit: http://www.gs.washington.edu/
