public forum institute

TOWN HALL ON GENES, ENVIRONMENT & YOUR HEALTH

The greatest challenge in public health today is finding better ways to prevent and treat common diseases - diseases like heart disease, cancer, obesity, and stroke. But the causes of these diseases are complicated and involve an individual’s genes, environment, and lifestyle. Understanding how these factors cause disease can lead to new treatments that may save lives. However, research to find which factors cause these diseases is challenging and would require hundreds of thousands of Americans to participate in a national “biobank.” The biobank would contain genetic samples and health information from volunteers. Scientists would use the information in the biobank to conduct research on the causes of many common diseases.

Although biobanks provide a valuable research tool for scientists studying disease, some people have concerns. Could the information be used against them if they participated? Who would have access to the database? Could employers, insurers, or law enforcement agencies gain access to their data? Who would decide what kind of research could be done using the biobank?

Other countries have begun to create large national biobanks. Is it time for the United States to consider doing the same thing? Are the risks worth the rewards? What do you think? It’s time to speak up. The National Institutes of Health and other federal healthcare agencies are considering starting a large study to create a national biobank. They have asked the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins to gather feedback about the idea from the general public.

As a part of that process, the Center is conducting a town hall in Philadelphia, PA. You and your community have an incredible opportunity to shape a study that may have tremendous impact on the future of health care.

No matter what your viewpoint is, we want to hear it.

 

 

 

May 13, 2008 | 5:30pm

Congregation Rodeph Shalom

615 North Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19123

Map

 

To take part in the discussion,
register now - or to learn more, visit www.dnapolicy.org and follow the link for the genetic town hall.

 

Contact:

 

Erin Wiley

The Public Forum Institute

(202) 374-0840

erin@pfidc.org

 

 

 

All Participating Cities:

 

Kansas City, MO | March 8, 2008

Phoenix, AZ | April 5, 2008

Jackson, MS | April 19, 2008

Portland, OR | April 24, 2008

Philadelphia, PA | May 13, 2008

 

 

The Genetics and Public Policy Center has been established to be 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 goal of the Center is to create the environment and tools needed by key decision makers in both the private and public sectors to carefully consider and respond to the challenges and opportunities that arise from scientific advances in genetics. The Center advocates neither for, nor against, reproductive genetic technologies or policies affecting their development or use.