2nd Annual Conference on Computers, Freedom, and Privacy

The rush of computers into our workplaces, homes, and institutions is drastically altering how we work and live, how we buy and sell, and with whom we communicate. Computers are obliterating traditional political and organizational boundaries, making time zones irrelevant, and bridging diverse cultures. They are fundamentally changing our culture, values, laws, traditions, and identities. The turmoil of the changes calls into question many old assumptions about privacy, freedom of speech, search and seizure, access to personal and governmental information, professional responsibilities, ethics, criminality and law enforcement. This conference aims to sort out these questions and arrive at a consensus for action through discussion and education. One session will deal specifically with genetic databanking, by providing an overview of genetic databanking, followed by a panel discussion on the tension between an individual's right to privacy and the interests of third parties. DNA forensic data banks and the use of genetic data by insurers will be explored. (Co-funded with NSF)