Enduring the Extremes: Space Travel, Genetics, and Astronaut Health
This was the fifth in a series of Congressional Briefings that PGED was invited to organize on May 3, 2016 in cooperation with the offices of Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter and Senator Elizabeth Warren to engage policymakers on the importance of education and society-wide conversations about the promises and implications of genetics. This program left Earth’s orbit to focus on genetics and space travel, looking at the health effects of spaceflight, potential contributions of genetics to protect the health of astronauts, and the ethical considerations. The standing-room only event was attended by almost 200 staffers from Congressional offices, various government departments and agencies, academic and professional societies, and members of the public.
Panelists
Dava Newman, PhD, Deputy Administrator, NASADeep space exploration: visions for the future
Victor Schneider, MD, Senior Medical Advisor, Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer; Enterprise Scientist, Human Research Program, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASAAstronauts, microgravity, and the impacts of long duration space missions
Ting Wu, PhD, Director, Consortium for Space Genetics; Director, Personal Genetics Education Project; Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical SchoolPotential of genetics to protect astronauts
Jeffrey Kahn, PhD, MPH, Deputy Director for Policy and Administration, Professor of Bioethics and Public Policy, Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins UniversityNew frontiers in genetics, ethics, and society
