Unit 112 Aberdeen House
22-24 Highbury Grove
London N5 2EA
phone: 020 7704 6100
fax: 020 7359 8423
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).