Nashville Selected to Host Town Hall on Reproductive Genetic Testing Residents Views Sought as Part of National Effort to Inform Public Policy

The Genetic Town Hall: Making Every Voice Count, Nashville, TN, August 4. Free, public, town hall forum hosted by Johns Hopkins Genetics & Public Policy Center to promote discussion of reproductive genetic testing issues within the general public and by community leaders to help generate public policy on the important issue.

WASHINGTON (PRWEB) June 14, 2004 -- Nashville residents will be able to share their views on new reproductive genetic technologies at a unique town hall to be held on August 4 at the downtown Renaissance Hotel. The event, THE GENETIC TOWN HALL: MAKING EVERY VOICE COUNT, is one of six to be held in cities across the country this summer. The Genetic Town Halls, organized by the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University and funded by a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts, seek to ensure that public voices are heard alongside expert opinions during policy discussions about the safety and ethics of reproductive genetic testing. Those interested in joining the Town Hall should register at www.dnapolicy.org.

Hundreds of genetic tests are now available and their use in the reproductive context is growing rapidly. Genetic tests can be used to screen for debilitating diseases such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease, but they are also being offered by some fertility centers to enable parents to choose the sex of their child. Some observers worry that as the technology becomes more sophisticated, parents will be able to choose other traits and characteristics of their children, such as strength and intelligence.

The controversy over reproductive genetic testing is intense. Critics say that it gives parents and doctors too much power over the beginnings of human life. Proponents say that the potential benefits of avoiding serious genetic diseases are far too valuable to ignore. But are these tests safe and do they work? Should there be limits on what types of testing are allowed? If so, who should draw the line?

"These new technologies are affecting how we have babies and even which babies we have," said Kathy Hudson Ph.D., Director of the Genetic and Public Policy Center. "As policies governing these tests and procedures are developed, decision makers need to hear the voices and values of the citizens of Tennessee."

The Genetic Town Halls will gather a diverse cross-section of citizens and community leaders to engage in an in-depth local dialogue to help shape related policy discussions in Washington. Participants will learn about rapid advances in reproductive genetic technologies, hear leaders from various fields describe the social and ethical implications, and then share their own views on this powerful new technology in facilitated small group discussions. The town halls are free and open to the public. They are part of a larger effort by the Genetics and Public Policy Center to create the information that public and private sector decision makers need to carefully consider and respond to issues raised by reproductive genetic technologies.

"Given the power and potential of these new technologies, The Trusts is committed to fostering the kind of thoughtful dialogue that has served our nation so well in meeting past challenges," said Rebecca W. Rimel, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pew Charitable Trusts.

To register or to learn more about the Genetic Town Halls, visit the Genetics and Public Policy Center website at www.dnapolicy.org or contact Regional Coordinator, Christi Ray Pugh, at crpugh@pfidc.com.

WHAT:    The Genetic Town Hall: Making Every Voice Count

WHEN:    August 4, 2004, 9:00 am -- 12:30 pm

WHERE:   Renaissance Nashville,    611 Commerce Street,    Nashville, TN

WHO: Kathy Hudson, Ph.D., Director, The Genetics & Public Policy Center- Approximately 75 Nashville area residents

The Genetics and Public Policy Center is an independent and objective source of credible information on genetic technologies and genetic policies for the public, media and policymakers. The Center, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, is a part of The Phoebe R. Berman Bioethics Institute at Johns Hopkins University. The Center advocates neither for, nor against, reproductive genetic technologies or policies affecting their development or use.

CONTACT:    
Regional Coordinator
Christi Ray Pugh
(615) 847-5205, or
CRPUGH@PFIDC.COM