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Contact:
Hal Weinberg, 604.268.6593, hweinber@sfu.ca
Susan Beyerstein, 604.268.6994, slbeyers@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca

Organizers of a two day conference called Conscience and Science hope the event will spark serious discussion about genetics’ greatest legacy: society’s ability to design its own fate. Simon Fraser University’s office of research ethics has attracted high profile speakers to facilitate public discussion with decision makers and scientists about where genetic technology is taking society. "It is crucial that we make this connection because our society is on the cutting edge of using biotechnologies to define our future," says Hal Weinberg, the director of SFU’s office of research ethics.

Weinberg is the organizer of, and one of the speakers at, the upcoming conference, April 28-29 at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue. The conference will be web-cast worldwide. Weinberg, a brain behaviour expert, says the speaker lineup was chosen to spark balanced debate about the impact of human genetics and biotechnology on society’s evolution. Among the speakers are:
Sir John Sulston. A chemist and a 2002 Nobel laureate who helped map the human genome, Sulston will talk about the importance of not patenting the basic science underlying genetic technology.

Maureen McTeer. A specialist in biotechnological law and ethics, McTeer will present her talk Patents on the Human Genome: the implications for the future.

David Suzuki. An award winning scientist, Suzuki will address the extent to which human genetics is altering the character of the human species.

Barry Beyerstein. An associate professor of psychology at SFU, Beyerstein will moderate a debate between two student panelists about the Chemical Shaping of Human Traits: Panacea or Pandora’s Box?

With the help of Apple Canada, students in remote classrooms will become on-line participants in post-debate discussion at the Asia Pacific Hall in the Wosk Centre for Dialogue. The University of Victoria, The Innovation and Science Council of B.C., MDS Metro, VSM MedTech, and Science World are also sponsoring the conference.

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Websites:
Conference website: www.conscienceandscience.com/
Hal Weinberg: www.sfu.ca/vp-research/ethics/director.htm