Guest guest Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 3 Mar 2005 14:12:32 -0000 Your Genes or Your Health press-release The Institute of Science in Society Science Society Sustainability http://www.i-sis.org.uk General Enquiries sam Website/Mailing List press-release ISIS Director m.w.ho ======================================================== ISIS Press Release 03/03/05 Special ISIS Lecture Your Genes or Your Health ********************* Why Genomics Won't Deliver the Health of Nations The fully referenced lecture and power point are available on CD at ISIS online bookstore now. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/onlinestore/av.php#226 The UK government launched a DNA BioBank in 2002 to collect DNA samples from 500 000 volunteers aged 45-69 to " capitalise on the knowledge from the Human Genome Project, which made available the genetic book of life " . The hope is that by combining genetic, medical and lifestyle information, the study will unravel the origins of important diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's, and lead to improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The study has been funded at £62 million so far; but this is just a small fraction of the total cost needed, which is closer to £10 billion. How realistic are the aims of the study? Are they scientifically achievable? What about the downsides of the project, such as the threat to genetic privacy, the potential for genetic discrimination and the resurgence of eugenics? Dr. Mae-Wan Ho says the content of the science is just as important as the context, and explains why she has referred to the human genome as a " big white elephant " : a useless idol that will bankrupt the nation, robbing the public of investments that can really deliver health to the nation, equitably and effectively. The fully referenced lecture and power point are available on CD at ISIS online bookstore now. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/onlinestore/av.php#226 ======================================================== This article can be found on the I-SIS website at http://www.i-sis.org.uk/YGOYH.php If you like this original article from the Institute of Science in Society, and would like to continue receiving articles of this calibre, please consider making a donation or purchase on our website http://www.i-sis.org.uk/donations. ISIS is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing critical public information on cutting edge science, and to promoting social accountability and ecological sustainability in science. If you would prefer to receive future mailings as HTML please let us know. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list at http://www.i-sis.org.uk/mailinglist/.php ======================================================== CONTACT DETAILS The Institute of Science in Society, PO Box 32097, London NW1 OXR telephone: [44 1994 231623] [44 20 8452 2729] [44 20 7272 5636] General Enquiries sam Website/Mailing List press-release ISIS Director m.w.ho MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY BE REPRODUCED FOR ANY PROFIT FREE PURPOSES WITHOUT PERMISSION, ON CONDITION THAT IT IS ACCREDITED ACCORDINGLY AND CONTAINS A LINK TO http://www.i- sis.org.uk/. ANY COMMERCIAL USE MUST BE AGREED WITH ISIS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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