University Communications
Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30322

Release date: Feb. 3, 2000
Contact: Elaine Justice, Assistant Director, 404-727-0643, or ejustic@emory.edu

Experts To Discuss Law & Human Genetics At Emory Law School's Thrower Symposium

WHAT: "Law & Human Genetics," 2000 Randolph W. Thrower Symposium

WHO: Speakers include George J. Annas, Rebecca Eisenberg, Louis Jacob "Skip" Elsas, Eric T. Juengst, Clarisa Long, and Mary Z. Pelias

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2000

WHERE: Emory Law School, Tull Auditorium, 1301 Clifton Rd., Emory.

ADMISSION: Free. CLE credit available at $3 per hour. Call 404-727-6831.

Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Human Genome Project, the 10th annual Randolph W. Thrower Symposium at Emory Law School will bring together legal scholars, ethicists and geneticists to discuss the ethical, legal and social implications of the availability of genetic information.

The Human Genome Project was originally planned to last until 2005, but rapid technological advances have accelerated the expected completion date to 2003. The symposium will address the effects of this unprecedented progress on genetic discrimination, privacy, regulation, research ethics and patent law as they relate to past and future scientific and technological development. Speakers and topics will include:

George J. Annas of Boston University on "The Prospects and Perils of Human Genetic Engineering";

Rebecca Eisenberg of the University of Michigan Law School on "Patent Law and Intellectual Property Issues as They Relate to Genetic Science";

Louis Jacob "Skip" Elsas, M.D., professor of pediatrics and director of the Division of Medical Genetics at Emory on "Interaction of Law and Genetics from the Perspective of the Medical Practitioner";

Eric T. Juengst of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine on "The Ethical Implications of Genetic Studies Comparing Whole Human Groups on Genetic Privacy and Discrimination";

Clarisa Long of University of Virginia Law School on "Genetic Information and Discrimination in Light of the Americans with Disabilities Act"; and

Mary Z. Pelias of Louisiana State University Medical Center on "Informed Consent, Privacy and Personal Autonomy."

Organized annually by students of the Emory Law Review, the Thrower Symposium is named for Emory alumnus Randolph W. Thrower, a senior partner at the Atlanta law firm of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan. Thrower was United States Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service from 1969-71.

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