The First International Conference on DNA Sampling & Human Genetic Research: Ethical, Legal and Policy Aspects

The conference, which will be held in Montreal on September 5-8, 1996, is designed as the first international, comparative forum for the examination of the broad issues of 'controlling' human genetic material and information. The purpose of the conference is to promote discussion and cooperation and facilitate policy development among representatives from many nations. It is anticipated that the conference will attract a large and diverse audience (300-500 attendees from around the world) including the academic community, the biotechnology industry, patient advocacy groups, policy developers at the scientific and governmental level, and individuals involved in genetic research. Conference Proceedings which include summaries of the plenary sessions along with the papers of the speakers, will be published and disseminated. In addition, the conference will serve as a forum for the critique of the results of a two year Canadian Genome Analysis and Technology (CGAT) research project," Research and Human Genetic Material: Persons, Property, Patents and Policy in Canada." The conference is not designed to provide consensus on each plenary session topic, however, the publication of conference proceedings should provide tangible outcomes that can be drawn upon by those who seek to formulate meaningful DNA sampling policy. (Co-funded with DOE)