(this looks interesting. Enquiries should go to Tom Wakeford at
[log in to unmask] JA)
Who Twists the Helix?
The University Centre, University of Cambridge, March 17-19 2003
A trans-disciplinary exploration of the powers that could decide our genetic
futures
Our meeting takes the fiftieth anniversary of the Watson, Crick, Wilkins and
Franklin double helical structure of
DNA, not merely as an excuse for uncritical triumphalism, but as an
opportunity for open debate on how
genetics came to be the pre-eminent life science and how we should respond
to the geneticisation of society
and nature.
Who Twists the Helix? will explore the extent to which there is a democratic
deficit in science and ways to
address it. The event will also feature experiments that aim to increase
citizen involvement in the regulation of
future scientific and technological innovations. These will include:
Café Scientifique – a new model of citizen-science engagement being
pioneered in a dozen locations
around the UK.
Extended Peer Review – commentary on the conference proceedings by a
"Genetic Futures Jury" - a
panel of non-specialist citizens from all over
the country.
Genetic Futures Jury report – a set of provisional conclusions from the
extended peer review panel, once
they have heard and cross-questioned the
different speakers.
Who Twists the Helix? is the only event in the fifty-year DNA anniversary to
combine the social and political dimensions of
the gene with a thorough examination of the science. It will be an important
event for anyone concerned with our common
future – not just specialists.
Among the wide range of topics covered will be those particularly important
for specific groups such as policy-makers,
scientists, academics, journalists, science or ethics committee members,
citizen and community networks.
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