Personal Genetics: Scientific Advances & Accelerating Public Awareness

PGED was honored to host a Congressional briefing in Washington, D.C. on May 13, 2014 in cooperation with the Office of the Honorable Louise M. Slaughter as part of a new initiative to engage our nation’s lawmakers. The program focused on the importance of raising public awareness on the rapidly developing field of personal genetics. Based on the enthusiastic response to this topic, PGED was asked to organize a series of Congressional briefings to delve more deeply into the intersection of genetics and emerging policy questions.

The briefing highlighted recent developments in the fields of genetics, personalized medicine, and genetic engineering as well as successful strategies for engaging the public. Renowned experts in research, education, and community engagement addressed a packed room of policymakers and other interested stakeholders offering a wide range of viewpoints. The primary goal of the briefing – sharing emerging scientific opportunities and issues alongside achievable strategies for addressing the urgent need to raise awareness comprehensively across our nation and around the world – was met with resounding success, thanks to our team, our experts, and the thoughtful participation of attendees.

Download Briefing Overview

Panelists

George Church, Professor, Harvard Medical School and MIT; Director of the NIH Center of Excellence in Genomic Science; Director of the Personal Genome Project

Heidi Rehm, Chief Laboratory Director, Partners Healthcare Laboratory for Molecular Medicine; Associate Professor of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Jeff Schloss, Director, Division of Genome Sciences, NIH/NHGRI

Ting Wu, Professor, Harvard Medical School; Director, Personal Genetics Education Project

Mike Dougherty, Director of Education, American Society of Human Genetics

Patricia Phelps, Education Specialist in Genomics, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History

Enrique Legaspi, Chief of Staff, will.i.am’s i.am.angel Foundation, Boyle Heights

Amy Wilstermann, Associate Professor, Calvin College

Ann Merchant, Deputy Executive Director for Communications, The National Academies, The Science & Entertainment Exchange

Carlos Olguin, Head of Bio/Nano/Programmable Matter Group, Autodesk Research

Past Briefings