Press release: Human Genetics Alert presents an event for National Science Week 2002

Unit 112 Aberdeen House 22-24 Highbury Grove, London N5 2EA
Phone: 020 7704 6100 fax: 020 7359 8423
info@hgalert.org www.hgalert.org

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate use

Human Genetics Alert presents an event for National Science Week 2002

Why Should I Be Concerned About Human Genetics?

As part of National Science Week, Human Genetics Alert has brought together 3 leading experts to ask whether the ethical issues raised by the human genetics revolution are being taken seriously enough.

Audience members will be encouraged to quiz the feminist sociologist, Professor Hilary Rose, Dr Richard Nicholson, editor of the Bulletin of Medical Ethics and Micheline Mason, a leading figure in the disability rights movement. Questions to be raised will include:

Will human genetics research increase discrimination against disabled people?

Can insurance companies find out about your genetic information?
Should scientists be allowed to clone embryos or people?
Is the government doing enough to protect us?

When: Wednesday March 13th 6:30 - 8.30pm (refreshments from 6 pm)

Where: room 2D, University of London Union, Malet St, London WC1.

Admission: free.

Access: the venue is wheelchair accessible.

Human Genetics Alert will be using this event to launch its first major briefing paper, 'Why Should I Be Concerned About Human Genetics?', an introductory overview of the key issues raised by human genetics.

For more information, contact David King: 020 7704 6100.

Notes for editors

1. Human Genetics Alert is an independent watchdog group funded by a leading British charity. HGA is the only public interest group focused solely on human genetics issues.

2. Professor Hilary Rose is author of Love, Power and Knowledge: Towards a Feminist Transformation of the Sciences (Indiana University Press) and is Physic Professor at Gresham College, London. Dr Richard Nicholson is a paediatrician and editor of the Bulletin of Medical Ethics. He is a frequent contributor to media debates on ethical issues. Micheline Mason is director of the Alliance for Inclusive Education, and author of Incurably Human, (Working Press).

3. Attached is the first issue of the Human Genetics Alert newsletter; issue 2 will be available at the event. The new HGA website, which contains many more resources on these issues can be found at www.hgalert.org.